Happiness-related qualities of mobile apps for physical activity

Many studies concentrate on the use of persuasive technology to encourage people for active lifestyles, yet it is a design challenge to create intrinsic motivation for users to increase or maintain healthy behaviour. Building upon the relationship between happiness and staying active, this paper presents design qualities perceived as a source of happiness. The study empirically examines data gathered from semi-structured, in-depth interviews of 20 people between the ages of 20 and 30. It applies content analysis method to analyze product qualities associated with happiness in relation to users’ short-term experiences with smart mobile applications. Benefiting from the theory of wellness, the paper explores the qualities of mobile physical activity apps and proposes possibilities for happiness.