Potential and effects of personalizing gameful fitness applications using behavior change intentions and Hexad user types

Abstract Personalizing gameful applications is essential to account for interpersonal differences in the perception of design elements. Considering that an increasing number people lead sedentary lifestyles, using personalized encourage physical activity a particularly relevant domain. In this article, we investigate behavior change intentions and Hexad user types as factors personalize fitness applications. We first explored potential these two by analyzing perceived persuasiveness elements storyboards-based online study ( $$N=178$$ N = 178 ). Our results show several significant effects regarding both thus support usefulness them explaining perceptual differences. Based on findings, implemented “Endless Universe,” application encouraging treadmill. used system laboratory $$N=20$$ 20 ) actual personalization users’ performance, enjoyment affective experiences. While did not find immediate performance users, positive experience-related measures were found. The relevance personalizing systems further.