Young adults' perceptions of digital health technology for improving exercise: A qualitative study

More than half of Korean adults do not meet aerobic exercise guidelines, and participation continues to decline. In response, digital health technologies such as mobile applications, wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things are being used to promote exercise. This study investigates how young adults perceive digital health technologies for exercise.

This was a descriptive qualitative study. Data were collected from 24 participants in their 30 s using semi-structured interviews conducted between June 3rd and August 2nd, 2024. Participants were initially recruited through university bulletin boards and subsequently via snowball sampling.

The following four main themes with corresponding subthemes emerged from the data analysis: (1) increasedneed for health management, (2) changing perceptions of exercise, (3) limited digital health experience, and (4) expectations for digital health.

The use of digital technology for exercise is influenced by factors such as awareness of health changes, evolving values around health and appearance, social and economic motivations, and personal experience with the technology. Adults in their 30 s who are facing growing health concerns and real-life constraints tend to assess the usefulness of these tools based on their practical benefits. Although most participants were office workers with relatively high levels of education-factors that may have shaped their experiences-these findings offer insights into how young adults engage with digital health technologies. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should design, implement, and evaluate interventions that enhance engagement, address emotional needs and motivational factors, and promote long-term behavior change.