Rise of wearable fitness devices (WFD): Effects of health technician and health consultant affordances on health-promoting behavior in China.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to investigate how wearable fitness devices (WFDs) influence health-promoting behavior in the Chinese context, particularly by examining two distinct affordances-health technician affordance and health consultant affordance-derived from affordance theory.

METHODS

Drawing on affordance theory and integrating health communication and technology models (including Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Protection Motivation Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory, and Pender's Health Promotion Model), we developed a theoretical model that incorporates three mediators relevant to individual technology use. We collected 615 valid responses through a questionnaire survey across China via QR codes and links on social platforms, and used SPSS and SmartPLS for data analyzing to validate our research model.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that performance expectancy and exercise self-efficacy are positively associated with health-promoting behavior. Moreover, the relationship between both health technician and health consultant affordances and health-promoting behavior is mediated by performance expectancy and exercise self-efficacy. In addition, prior exercise behavior significantly influences health-promoting behavior.

CONCLUSION

The study advances our understanding of how WFDs contribute to health-promoting behavior by delineating both the technical and consultative roles of these devices. The results provide important theoretical insights and practical implications for enhancing health communication strategies and optimizing the use of wearable fitness technology.