Informing personalization of technologies for promoting physical activity: bridging the knowledge, attitude and practice model and human-centered design

Although the benefits of physical activity (PA) are well established and inactivity poses substantial risks, encouraging adults to change and sustain PA behaviors remains a challenge. Mobile technologies have emerged as accessible and cost-effective tools to encourage healthier behaviors. Personalization is a key factor for improving user engagement and adherence, but current approaches often rely on surface-level data and overlook cognitive and motivational aspects.

This study explores how mobile exercise- and health-related technologies can be personalized to support PA behavior change by integrating the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) model with a human-centered design approach.

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 adults aged 34-66 years to explore their PA habits and use of exercise- and health-related technology. Interview recordings were transcribed, reviewed, and analyzed using deductive thematic analysis guided by the three domains of the KAP model: knowledge, attitude, and practice.

Participants demonstrated varied knowledge of PA, ranging from general health benefits to specific exercise practices. General awareness of the benefits of PA was not always accompanied by practical knowledge about planning exercise or interpreting activity data. Attitudes toward PA and mobile exercise- and health-related technology were influenced by motivation, convenience, and emotional responses, with some participants reporting guilt or stress related to use of mobile exercise- and health-related technology. Practices reflected diverse PA routines, from structured exercise to incidental daily movement. These practices were shaped by work, family responsibilities, physical limitations, preferred environments, and differing needs for social or solitary activity. Engagement with mobile exercise- and health-related technology varied widely, with some participants relying on wearables and apps, while others reported irregular or discontinued use. Together, the findings informed a framework of 20 dimensions describing how individual differences in knowledge, attitudes, and practices can guide the personalization of mobile exercise- and health-related technology for PA promotion.

Personalization of mobile exercise- and health-related technologies for PA promotion should extend beyond surface-level data to include cognitive, emotional, and contextual factors that influence behavior. Applying the KAP model within human-centered design can inform adaptive, empathetic, and context-sensitive solutions that better resonate with users' lived experiences and support sustainable PA engagement.