The effect of mobile gamification on user engagement: A study of a fitness app in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
- Project Research
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- Table of Content: Available
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- NGN 5000
Background of the study
Mobile gamification incorporates game-design elements—such as points, challenges, and leaderboards—into non-game contexts to boost user engagement. In Port Harcourt, a fitness app has adopted gamification strategies to motivate users to achieve fitness goals while making the app experience more interactive and fun. This study examines how gamification influences user engagement by tracking metrics such as daily active usage, session duration, and achievement completions. Gamified features create an enjoyable, competitive environment that encourages regular interaction and fosters community among users (Ibrahim, 2023). Research has shown that gamification can significantly increase user engagement and retention, especially when the incentives align with personal fitness goals (Okoro, 2024). However, the success of gamification depends on effective implementation and balancing fun with functionality. This research will analyze user behavior and feedback to assess the impact of gamification on engagement and provide recommendations for optimizing these features (Chinwe, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Fitness apps in Port Harcourt often face challenges in sustaining user engagement, as traditional features may fail to motivate ongoing use. The lack of interactive, gamified elements can lead to user disengagement and high churn rates. Despite the potential benefits of gamification, many apps struggle with poorly designed challenges and imbalanced reward systems that do not resonate with users’ fitness objectives. This study seeks to identify the barriers to effective mobile gamification and evaluate its impact on user engagement (Ibrahim, 2023; Okoro, 2024).
Objectives of the study:
To assess the impact of gamification on user engagement in fitness apps.
To identify challenges in implementing effective gamification features.
To propose recommendations for optimizing gamified elements.
Research questions:
How does mobile gamification affect user engagement?
What obstacles hinder effective gamification in fitness apps?
What strategies can improve user interaction through gamification?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it provides insights into optimizing mobile gamification strategies to enhance user engagement for fitness apps in Port Harcourt. The findings will help developers design better gamified experiences, leading to higher retention and improved user outcomes (Chinwe, 2025).
Scope and limitations of the study:
The study is limited to a single fitness app in Port Harcourt and focuses on the impact of gamification on user engagement.
Definitions of terms:
Mobile Gamification: The application of game-like elements in non-game contexts.
User Engagement: The extent of active participation by app users.
Fitness App: A mobile application that assists users in tracking and achieving fitness goals.
