Goals, as a game element, are measure or targets used to encourage users to reach a level of performance. Goal setting was used in 78.1% of health/fitness applications that feature game elements (among the Top 50 health/fitness mobile apps in 2019). 

Goal Setting in Health/Fitness Applications

Social influence, as a game element, is the displaying of performance or capacity for communication between users. Social influence was used in 78.1% of health/fitness applications that feature game elements (among the Top 50 health/fitness mobile apps in 2019)

Social Influence in Health/Fitness Applications

Challenges, as a game element, are goals or competitions that are subject to a time limit. Challenges were used in 62.5% of health/fitness applications (among the Top 50 health/fitness mobile apps in 2019).

Challenges in Health/Fitness Applications

Points, as a game element, are tallied to help the user progress through the system or can be redeemed for awards. points were used in 6.3% of health/fitness applications (among the Top 50 health/fitness mobile apps in 2019).

Points in Health/Fitness Applications

levels, as a game element, are a gradient of goals or statuses that a user can achieve. Levels were used in 3.1% of health/fitness applications (among the Top 50 health/fitness mobile apps in 2019).

Levels in Health/Fitness Applications

- Goal Setting
- Social Influence
- Challenges
- Points
- Levels

San Jose State University

Health and fitness applications use gamification to encourage users to change behavior. Various game elements are used in these applications. 64% of the top 50 health/fitness mobile applications in 2019 feature game elements to promote health and fitness realted activities from their users. The most commonly used game elements are goals and social influences.

Gamification in Health/Fitness Mobile Applications

Cotton, V., & Patel, M. S. (2019). Gamification use and design in popular health and fitness mobile applications. American Journal of Health Promotion, 33(3), 448-451. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117118790394

Gamification Use and Design in Popular Health and Fitness Mobile Applications

Game Elements used in Top 50 Health/Fitness Applications

The game elements used for gamification in health and fitness applications is well suited to be manipulated along the lines of behavioral economic principles to increase the intended effects upon user behavior.

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