Physical activity is known to help improve and maintain one's health. In particular, recreational running has become increasingly popular in recent years. Yet, lack of motivation often interferes with people's routines and thus may prohibit regular uptake. This is where running tracking applications are frequently used to overcome one's weaker self and offer support. While technology artifacts, such as sport watches or running applications, usually count as extrinsic drivers, they can also impact one's intrinsic motivation levels. The aim of this study was thus to investigate upon the motivational impact of distinct features found within applications specifically used for running. Focusing on the 22 most famous running applications, a semi-structured, problem-centered interview study with $n=15$ recreational runners showed that intrinsic motivation is stimulated from diverting runners, aiding them in their goal setting, decreasing their efforts, improving and sharing their run performance, allowing them to receive acknowledgements, as well as providing them with guidance, information, and an overall variety in their training routines.

翻译：众所周知,体育活动有助于改善和保持个人健康,特别是娱乐性跑步近年来越来越受欢迎。然而,缺乏动机往往干扰人们的日常活动,从而可能禁止定期吸收。运行跟踪应用程序经常被用来克服一个人较弱的自我,并提供支持。虽然运动手表或运行应用程序等技术艺术品通常算作外在驱动力,但也可能影响一个人的内在动力水平。因此,本研究的目的是调查专门用来运行的应用程序中发现的不同特征的动机影响。以22个最著名的运行应用程序为重点,半结构化、以问题为中心的访谈研究,以1 500美元娱乐跑跑者为对象,显示其内在动机来自转移跑者,帮助他们设定目标,减少他们的努力,改进和分享跑动性,使他们能够获得认可,并为他们提供指导、信息和培训程序的全面多样性。