Abstract
In pandemic times, the possibilities for conventional sports activities are severely limited; many sports facilities are closed or can only be used with restrictions. To counteract this lack of health activities and social exchange, people are increasingly adopting new digital sports solutions—a behavior change that had already started with the trend towards fitness apps and activity trackers. Existing research suggests that digital solutions increase the motivation to move and stay active. This work further investigates the potentials of digital sports incorporating the dimensions gender and preference for team sports versus individual sports. The study focuses on potential users, who were mostly younger professionals and academics. The results show that the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on sports activity, particularly on persons preferring team sports. To compensate, most participants use more digital sports than before, and there is a positive correlation between the time spent physically active during the pandemic and the increase in motivation through digital sports. Nevertheless, there is still considerable skepticism regarding the potential of digital sports solutions to increase the motivation to do sports, increase performance, or raise a sense of team spirit when done in groups.
Highlights
Accepted: 25 December 2021Sports and daily exercise are of enormous importance for maintaining body mobility and mental health in the long term
We look at how gender and the preference for individual sports or team sports affects the acceptance of digital sports
We looked at the impact of the pandemic on physical activity and on the acceptance of solutions for digital health and sports
Summary
Accepted: 25 December 2021Sports and daily exercise are of enormous importance for maintaining body mobility and mental health in the long term. Working from home reduces movement even further: the daily commute to work and the corresponding walking routines on the company premises are eliminated Overall, these restrictions result in drastic reductions in physical activity observed worldwide [1]. Digital solutions aimed at sports and prevention are very successful; fitness trackers and smartwatches have already been established on the market for several years. Like their professional counterparts in the health domain, such devices monitor daily activities and exercises. They are designed to motivate persons to increase health activities and sports in the long term, such as by employing gamification elements. Solutions for digital health gain even more importance
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