Impact of Social Features on User Experience in Sport Tracking Applications
Abstract
Sport-tracking applications can enhance physical activity but may also induce stress through social comparison. This study examines how social comparison features influence user experience (UX), focusing on motivation, stress, and mental well-being. A survey of 101 German sport-tracking app users assessed intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, perceived stress, self-efficacy, enjoyment, social comparison orientation, and UX. Results reveal that higher social comparison consistently lowers intrinsic motivation, raises extrinsic motivation, and increases stress levels, while positive UX boosts intrinsic motivation and enjoyment and indirectly buffers stress. Notably, app designs prioritizing mastery and personal progress over competitive rankings foster autonomy, competence, and relatedness, supporting mental health and long-term adherence. These findings highlight the ambivalent effects of social features and underscore the need for sport-tracking apps to minimize harmful comparisons and promote self-determined motivation through supportive, user-friendly features. Practical implications include designing for sustainable engagement and well-being rather than exclusive competition.
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| Titel | Impact of Social Features on User Experience in Sport Tracking Applications |
|---|---|
| Medien | Conference Proceedings IEEE-CHIuXiD2025 Conference, in Bali (Indonesia), December 5.6, 2025. |
| Verfasser | Janine Riemann, Prof. Dr. Katharina Klug, Luisa Christ, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Stadler |
| Veröffentlichungsdatum | 05.12.2025 |
| Zitation | Riemann, Janine; Klug, Katharina; Christ, Luisa; Stadler, Sebastian (2025): Impact of Social Features on User Experience in Sport Tracking Applications. Conference Proceedings IEEE-CHIuXiD2025 Conference, in Bali (Indonesia), December 5.6, 2025.. |