Motivation and demotivation
A major motivational factor for many of the participants was the feedback on their individual PAI score and the earning system in the wearable activity tracker with the connected PAI app. The reward from an increasing PAI score was perceived as a boost to be physically active, giving a good feeling of mastery when achieving the expected goal (100 PAI/week). The feedback when the PAI score was low motivated several participants to increase their PA level. Over time, many participants learned how much extra effort they needed to do to obtain 100 PAI/week.When I have reached a high PAI score, I get motivated to maintain the score. I get kind of attached to the thing (PAI), checking the PAI score in the morning to find out how much effort I need to do to maintain the PAI level that day (ID 16).Several participants got motivated from the feeling of physical and psychological well-being they gained by being more physically active. In addition, a strong motivational factor was being able to maintain this feeling of well-being, confidence, and ability to make PA as a routine in their everyday life. For some participants, motivation to continue with PA lasted over time and some experienced that it was easier to increase the level of PA even if the PAI score had been low for a period. At the same time, the feedback of their PAI score felt demotivating for others, especially if they for different reasons did not have the opportunity to be physically active for a period, and the PAI score reminders were perceived as annoying or stressful.I am receiving fewer points than I deserve. I am probably very concerned about the number of PAI-points. But at the same time, I think it gives me a motivation to work out on days where I normally would not work out (ID 3).The lack of PAI score from low-intensity activities like strength training was also perceived as a demotivation for some, as they had been active but were not able to reach the expected PAI goal. Some did not see any difference at all in their motivation to be more PA and expressed the main reason to be the lack of intrinsic motivation rather than the digital devices they used. Being active together with family members, friends or colleagues was an important motivation to increase PA for some, while others were motivated from having some time for themselves.