Colloquia

Summary

A holistic view of running training, especially among recreational runners, demonstrates the different elements involved in the endeavor besides the act of running itself. Many factors leading up to an individual’s workout session affects their training motivation and performance. These factors include personal characteristics such as physical, psychological, running-related, and lifestyle influences. Current running mobile applications and tracking technologies do address the topic of training personalization. However, the exploration of autonomous workout adjustments remains limited.

To enhance self-management in workout adjustment using technological means, this thesis explores the possibility of employing the concept of shared decision-making in the context of recreational running training. Specifically, employing shared decision-making into single workout adjustments, using the Vortza running training application as a basis for this thesis study.

This thesis is guided by the main research question: “How can we enhance workout adjustment guidance in mobile running applications through the concept of shared decision-making?  Accordingly, this thesis follows an iterative process inspired by the different stages outlined in the Design Thinking Model. Following the steps outlined in the Design Thinking Model enables us to define our problem statement and adopt a user-centric approach to developing and testing creative solutions.

The outcomes of this process lead to a mobile application interface design that addresses the workout adjustment feature in Vortza to incorporate the concept of shared decision-making. The thesis findings show that users value quick and simple interactions with familiar visual elements to avoid confusing and burdensome interactions.

This thesis proposes a “Three-Step Interaction” Model to satisfy user needs through a shared decision-making practice. This model is used to manage interactions in running training mobile applications, drawing distinctions between different use contexts of shared decision-making.

The “Three-Step Interaction” Model presents the groundwork for a preliminary blueprint to implementing shared decision-making into the context of technology related running workout adjustments, which may expand to other facets of running training as well as other sports.