SELF-EFFICACY IMPROVES UTAUT TO DESCRIBE ADOPTION OF HEALTH-ENHANCING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS

Abstract

There is consensus in health studies that regular physical activities of sufficient intensity and duration contribute to better health both in the short and long term. In an ongoing research program, we focus on getting young elderly, the 60-75 years age group, to adopt and include physical activities as part of their everyday routines. Regular health-enhancing physical activities can serve as preventive health care, which will improve and sustain quality of life and build up savings in health-care macro costs for an ageing population. We have learned that digital service tools can be instrumental for the adoption and use of activity programs, and that the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is instrumental for the acceptance and use of digital tools and services. We will argue that the UTAUT is not sufficient as such but can be enhanced to describe the adoption and use of health-enhancing physical activity programs.