Motivational Resources for Physical Exercises: Evaluation of User Experience in Mobile Fitness Applications

Mobile devices may act as support tools to achieve a balance between the technologic world and a physically active life, through the use of Mobile Fitness Applications (MFA), for example. However, keeping a long-term routine of exercising, even with the support of MFAs, demands high levels of motivation. In this paper we present an analysis of how MFAs with support for jogging and running have been dealing with aspects related to the first experiences of use and to the motivation for evolving on the exercises, among young adults. In this initial study, we used analytic and empirical evaluation methods, exploring usability, user experience and emotional aspects. The results show the relation between motivational and emotional aspects and MFAs resources, as well as the quality of its resources.