Examining the use of fitness apps in sports centers in Taiwan: incorporating task–technology fit into a technology readiness acceptance model

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rationale/purpose This study analyzes users’ behavior intention to use fitness apps and adopts the technology readiness acceptance model (TRAM) to explore the effects of technology readiness (TR) and task–technology fit (TTF) in the context of using fitness apps. Design/methodology/approach We used a purposive sampling method, recruiting 328 consumers from six civil sports centers in Taiwan, and performed structural equation modeling (SEM) for the data analysis. Findings The results presented conclusive evidence that TR has a significant positive relationship with both perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU), while TTF only has a significant relationship with PU. The model was validated, contributing to the existing body of knowledge on sports technologies. Practical Implications In the promotion of technological applications, sports facility practitioners can target specific customer groups to develop precise marketing strategies. Research Contributions The integrated TRAM model shifts the emphasis on intelligent technology to the feature of consumers and sports contexts, making the research model more comprehensive to predict users’ intention toward fitness apps and prioritize the use of sport-related technology to optimize the application of technologies in the sports fields.