Predictors of Long-Term Resistance Exercise Adherence: Evidence from a Large Cohort of Mobile App Users of Various Experience Levels
Digital fitness applications offer unprecedented access to structured training programs, yet the behavioral factors that predict sustained engagement in real-world settings remain incompletely understood.
A recent observational study analyzed data from 389,481 adult digital fitness app users (mean age: 34.7 ± 9.9) of various experience levels followed for twelve months from their first recorded workout. The study aimed to identify predictors of long-term adherence to structured training programs in real-world settings. Digital fitness applications provide a unique opportunity to examine the behavioral factors that influence sustained engagement, as users can easily track and monitor their progress. However, the factors that predict long-term adherence remain poorly understood. This study sought to address this knowledge gap by investigating the associations between early training behaviors, demographic factors, and time to dropout among digital fitness app users. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the behavioral correlates of sustained engagement in resistance exercise among beginners, with potential implications for the design of effective exercise programs and interventions.