Design requirements for persuasive technologies to motivate physical activity in adolescents: a field study

Abstract

Technology probes were used to investigate what adolescents would find persuasive in digital devices supporting opportunistic (unstructured/unplanned) exercise. The probes comprised pedometers, handheld consoles with an exercise game and a customised social website with an exercise focus. Three groups of six adolescents participated in the field study. To contextualise the study their attitudes to exercise, and exercise behaviours, were collected at the start and end of the study. The participants logged their daily exercise and noted any barriers that they encountered over six weeks. They reflected on these experiences and took part in innovation activities to identify requirements for motivational exercise technology. Analysis of the results revealed that they desired individual customisation of devices that can capture a wide range of physical activity data. Moreover, social interaction is expected within digital media and positive messages reinforcing goal attainments are valued, whereas negative feedback demotivates. These findings support those reported in other studies of both children and adults. More specific to this age group was their openness to sharing information beyond their friendship groups, although this was counterbalanced by their lack of autonomy in the physical world. This highlights issues that could constrain the effective design of technology for this age group.

Keywords:

• field study
• opportunistic exercise
• adolescent participants
• technology probes