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Virtual trainer system: a tool to increase exercise participation and work productivity

Ron Chi-Wai Kwok (Department of Information Systems, College of Business, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)
Alvin Chung Man Leung (Department of Information Systems, College of Business, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)
Stanley Sai-chuen Hui (Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)
Clara Choi-Ki Wong (Department of Information Systems, College of Business, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Internet Research

ISSN: 1066-2243

Article publication date: 8 January 2021

Issue publication date: 19 May 2021

835

Abstract

Purpose

Due to lack of motivation, individuals often fail to perform regular exercise. In view of this, we developed a virtual trainer system (VTS) to encourage users to perform simple exercise routines regularly.

Design/methodology/approach

A design science approach is adopted to develop a VTS to motivate users to exercise. Study findings are based on a field experiment with 91 participants recruited from a university in Hong Kong.

Findings

Outcome-oriented reminders foster stronger perceived risks of health and perceived value of exercises, whereas virtual trainer attractiveness has insignificant effect. Perceived value of exercises is positively related to exercise participation, which has a positive relationship with work productivity.

Research limitations/implications

The findings answer question of how to motivate people to continue exercising.

Practical implications

Findings provide insights for fitness companies to design online exercise training for users.

Social implications

VTS can promote regular exercise and healthy life.

Originality/value

This research shows that interactive virtual agents can motivate users to exercise regularly. It contributes to the burgeoning research on the use of IT artifacts for improving exercise participation and provides practical insights into VTS designs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The work described in this paper was fully supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. CityU 145111). The authors are indebted to Radhika Santhanam, Ritu Agarwal, Andrew Burton-Jones, Suprateek Sarker, Chee-Wee Tan, and participants in CityU IS Summer Workshop 2015 for their comments and suggestions to improve the paper.

Citation

Kwok, R.C.-W., Leung, A.C.M., Hui, S.S.-c. and Wong, C.C.-K. (2021), "Virtual trainer system: a tool to increase exercise participation and work productivity", Internet Research, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 892-910. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-04-2020-0236

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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