Understanding how and when user inertia matters in fitness app exploration: A moderated mediation model

Information behavior for health and fitness have attained increasing attention in the e-health field. However, mobile users still need exploring a largely untapped resource on fitness apps to obtain more health benefits. Regarding that prior studies seldom focused on which factor hinders fitness app exploration, this study proposes a moderated mediation model to investigate the mechanisms underlying users’ intention to explore fitness apps (IEFA) based on status quo bias theory and goal-setting theory. This model stresses on the mediation effect of perceived need and the moderating effect of health goal. Data from 346 respondents in China were used to examine the hypotheses proposed in the research model and further to verify the moderated mediation model. The results indicate that users’ inertia negatively influences both perceived need and IEFA, and perceived need not only has a positive influence on IEFA, but also mediates the relationship between inertia and IEFA. In addition, health goal weakens the relationships between inertia and perceived need as well as between inertia and IEFA. This study extends the knowledge of information behavior in the mobile health field and enriches literature of status quo bias and health goal-setting. It also discusses practical implications for fitness app providers.