Virtual trainer system: a tool to increase exercise participation and work productivity
研究开发了一个虚拟教练系统，通过实地实验发现结果导向的提醒能增强健康风险感知和运动价值感知，进而提高运动参与和工作效率。
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.