Importance-performance analysis in fitness apps. A study from the viewpoint of gender and age.

Background: We are currently undergoing a profound process of digital transformation that has favoured the development and use of apps in multiple facets of people's daily lives. In the fitness industry, this situation has facilitated the control of exercise and the maintenance of healthier lifestyles. However, it is not known how the perceived quality and importance of fitness apps vary for users based on gender and age, which is the objective of this study conducted among users of fitness centres. Methods: By means of a convenience sample, 321 users from different centres of the boutique fitness chain Sano Centre (238 females and 83 males) took part in the study. They answered the 16 items of the MARS scale, distributed in four dimensions, in terms of importance and perceived quality. The existence of significant differences was analysed using non-parametrical statistics such as the U-Mann-Whitney (gender) and the H-Kruskal-Wallis (age). In addition, a cluster analysis, combining hierarchical and non-hierarchical methods, was analysed considering as a dependent variable the level of recommendation of fitness apps. Results: Considering gender, in importance-performance analysis (IPA), credibility was the most important attribute for females and quality of information for males. In the case of age, credibility was the most important attribute in all the ranges. The cluster analysis established two groups (high and low recommendations of the fitness app). In importance, the first group scored better on all factors except entertainment and interest. In valuation, the scores were lower than on importance, especially in the low recommendation group. Conclusion: Regarding usage behaviour, credibility is the factor to which users attach the highest importance and rating, regardless of gender and age. The main demand focuses on improving the gestural design and visual appeal, which will facilitate a better user experience.

The relationship among service experience, perceived value and behavioural intentions of customers in a group fitness class / La relación entre la experiencia de servicio, el valor percibido y las intenciones de comportamiento en clientes de actividades dirigidas

Understanding the importance of the customer perception during the experience in the fitness centre is fundamental to comprehend behavioural intentions for fitness centre managers. This study attempts to understand how important and necessary is consumer’s assessment of service experience, perceived value, and behavioural intention, and the relationships among theses variables into group fitness class (GFC), and Virtual fitness class (VFC). Data was collected from 1.943 customers. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate goodness-of-fit-indexes for the model obtained. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed the positive and significant effect of service experience on customers’ perceived value and behavioural intention, but results show that perceived value has poor fit on behavioural intentions. The overall customer’s perception of GFC and VFC can be a focus for fitness centre’s managers aiming to improve fitness service supply related to new technologies in the fitness industry to increase intentions to repurchase

Comprender la percepción del consumidor durante su experiencia dentro de un centro de fitness resulta fundamental para que los gerentes puedan entender las intenciones de comportamiento futuras de sus abonados. Este estudio pretende esclarecer la importancia y la necesaria evaluación de la experiencia de servicio, el valor percibido y la intenciones de comportamiento, así como la relación entre dichas variables dentro de las actividades dirigidas con técnico y las actividades dirigidas virtuales, utilizando para ello una muestra de 1.943 usuarios. El análisis factorial confirmatorio indica un adecuado ajuste para el modelo de medida propuesto. Por otro lado, el análisis de ecuaciones estructurales utilizado revela una relación positiva y significativa de las experiencias de servicio hacia el valor percibido y las intenciones de comportamiento respectivamente. Sin embargo, el modelo muestra un pobre ajuste entre el valor percibido y las intenciones de comportamiento. La percepción global del consumidor en ambas actividades puede resultar un elemento de estudio para los gerentes con el objetivo de mejorar la oferta de servicios de fitness utilizando las nuevas tecnologías para así incrementar las intenciones de compra

El valor percibido y la satisfacción del cliente en actividades dirigidas virtuales y con técnico en centros de fitness / Perceived value and customer satisfaction in virtual fitness and trainer-guided group activities in fitness centres / O valor percebido e a satisfação do cliente em acitivade virtuais dirigidas e com técnico em centros de fitness

En la actualidad la industria del fitness se encuentra en la senda del crecimiento. Uno de los servicios que mayor presencia está teniendo en los centros de fitness son las actividades dirigidas con técnico, las cuales han evolucionado hacia actividades dirigidas virtuales debido a la inclusión de la tecnología. Esta investigación analiza el valor percibido y la satisfacción de los clientes en ambas actividades, explorando las diferencias existentes entre dichos servicios y la relación entre ambas variables. La muestra se compuso de 572 usuarios de un centro de fitness (319 mujeres y 253 hombres) con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y 63 años. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre el valor percibido y la satisfacción entre los dos servicios deportivos, obteniendo valores más positivos en las que requieren un técnico deportivo. Asimismo, la satisfacción del cliente mostró ser dependiente del valor percibido, obteniendo un mayor vínculo en el caso de las actividades dirigidas virtuales. Estos resultados suscitan a la reflexión por parte de los gestores de las instalaciones deportivas sobre la incorporación o no de este tipo de servicios deportivos

At present, the fitness industry is on a growth path. One of the most prominent services in fitness centres is trainer-guided group fitness activities, which have evolved into virtual fitness activities with the inclusion of technology. This research analyses perceived value and customer satisfaction in both activities, exploring the differences between them and the relationship between the two variables. The sample consisted of 572 subjects belonging to a private fitness centre (319 women and 253 men), between 15 and 63 years old. The results show significant differences between perceived value and satisfaction in the two sports services, with sports requiring a trainer getting more positive values. Furthermore, customer satisfaction shows a dependence on perceived value, with a stronger link being obtained in the case of virtual fitness activities. These results and an in-depth analysis on the inclusion, or not, of these sport services are thought-provoking for managers of these facilities

Na actualidade a indústria do fitness encontra-se na senda do crescimento. Um dos serviços que maior presença está a ter nos centros defitness são as actividades dirigidas com um técnico, as quais têm evoluído para actividades virtuais dirigidas devido à inclusão da tecnologia. Estainvestigação analisa o valor percebido e a satisfação dos clientes em ambas as actividades, explorando as diferenças existentes entre estes serviços e arelação entre ambas as variáveis. A amostra foi composta por 572 utentes de um centro de fitness (319 mulheres e 253 homens) com idades compreendidasentre os 15 e os 63 anos. Os resultados revelam diferenças significativas entre o valor percebido e a satisfação entre os dois serviços desportivos, obtendovalores mais positivos as que requerem um técnico desportivo. Assim mesmo, a satisfação do cliente mostrou ser dependente do valor percebido, obtendoum maior vínculo no caso das actividades virtuais dirigidas. Estes resultados suscitam a reflexão por parte dos gestores das instalações desportivas sobrea incorporação ou não deste tipo de serviços desportivos

Adaptación y validación de la Escala de Intenciones Futuras de Comportamiento en usuarios de servicios deportivos / Adaptation and Validation of the Scale of Future Intentions of Behaviour in Customers of Sport Services

La fidelización de usuarios en cualquier tipo de organización es un tema transcendente por la cascada de beneficios que se producen al incrementarla. Las organizaciones deportivas no son ajenas a esta realidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue adaptar y validar una escala de intenciones futuras de comportamiento a servicios deportivos. Para la validación de la misma, se utilizó una muestra compuesta por 2181 usuarios. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio precedido del exploratorio. Se calculó la fiabilidad del instrumento resultante y su validez discriminante. Los resultados permiten afirmar que se dispone de una herramienta válida y fiable compuesta por tres dimensiones y diez ítems, capaz de conocer las intenciones futuras de comportamiento de usuarios de servicios deportivos.

Customer loyalty, inside any organization, is transcendental because of the reported income it delivers. Sport business is no exception. This research's goal was to set up and validate a scale of future intentions of behaviour in sport services. A sample of 2181 users was used in order to validate this scale. Factorial exploratory and then confirmatory analyses were made. Reliability and discriminatory validity of the resulting tool were calculated. Results show a reliable and valid tool with three dimensions and ten items, able to determine future intentions of behaviour of sport services customers.

La percepción de calidad y fidelidad en clientes de centros de fitness low cost / Perceived quality and loyalty in low-cost fitness center clients

El modelo low-cost es una apuesta actual que comienza a tener presencia en la industria del fitness y utiliza frecuentemente las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. Sin embargo, por su novedad se desconoce el tipo de cliente que frecuenta estas instalaciones y cómo percibe sus servicios. Por ello, los objetivos que plantea este estudio son: en primer lugar, analizar la percepción de calidad y las intenciones futuras de comportamiento de los clientes en centros de fitness low-cost y, en segundo lugar, examinar si existen diferencias significativas en cuanto a las características sociodemográficas y la utilización de Facebook y de la web. Para ello se utilizó una muestra compuesta por 1279 usuarios de centros de fitness low-cost (692 mujeres y 587 varones), se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio, un análisis de la fiabilidad y prueba t y ANOVA de un factor. Los resultados muestran escalas fiables y válidas de calidad percibida de servicio y fidelidad, así como la existencia de diferencias significativas en las variables estudiadas en cuanto a sexo, edad, permanencia, uso de Facebook y uso de la web. Estos hallazgos muestran la importancia de una buena gestión de los servicios y la correcta gestión de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación.

The low-cost approach is a current trend, which has recently become the vogue in the fitness industry, with its frequent use of the new information and communication technologies. However, due to the novelty this approach, it is unknown how customers perceive their services and the type of customers who will use these sports facilities. The aim of this study is to analyze quality perception and future behavioral intentions of low-cost fitness centers customers, as well as to examine whether there are significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, and the use of Facebook and the Internet. To this effect, a study was conducted on a sample of 1279 users of low-cost fitness centers (692 women and 587 men), and an analysis was performed using exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, t test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show reliable and valid scales of perceived service quality and loyalty, and the existence of significant differences in the dimensions studied in terms of gender, age, permanence, use of Facebook and use of the Internet. These findings show the importance of good service management, as well as proper management of the new information and communication technologies.