Variously and freely to use: Exploring routine and innovative use of fitness apps from a self-management perspective

Abstract

Different uses (e.g., routine use and innovative use) of mHealth technology are important for users to synergistically utilize rich health resources. Capturing the characteristics of postadoption usage behavior (i.e., various and free) and the research gaps in previous literature, this study theorizes a research model of different uses of fitness apps, drawing on the exploitation–exploration framework and goal-setting theory. The results indicate that both health goals and eHealth literacy positively influence routine use and innovative use of fitness apps to achieve self-management, and environmental factors and personal characteristics moderate the relationships in different uses, respectively, thus refining theoretical boundaries.