Author(s):
- Feng, Yuanyuan
- Li, Kai
- Agosto, Denise E.
Abstract:
This paper examines how healthy activity tracker users, particularly gym-goers, manage personal health information generated by their activity tracking devices. Findings from 117 valid responses to a web survey are presented to provide an overall picture of healthy activity tracker users’ health or fitness-related needs, their personal health information management (PHIM) practices and the gaps between their needs and PHIM. Based on the survey findings, we suggest considering future activity tracker design improvements for addressing users’ currently unmet needs while recognizing the limitations of current technology. We conclude with a discussion of the necessity for reexamining PHIM in a new era of broader self-tracking activities and needs.