The Continuous Intention of Older Adult in Virtual Reality Leisure Activities: Combining Sports Commitment Model and Theory of Planned Behavior

Digital devices are being increasingly adopted for healthcare purposes. The present study investigates the continuous intention of older adults in virtual reality leisure activities by using a sports commitment model and the theory of planned behavior to develop a new planned behavior model, and by testing the model using a sample of 388 older adults following three months of firsthand experience. The results show that sports commitment has a positive influence on continuance intention, and subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are the strongest predictors of continuous intention in virtual reality leisure activities. Further, the participation of the older adults in virtual reality leisure activities requires strong support from society as well as friends and family in order to produce continued participation. Perceived behavioral control shows that when individuals have more resources and opportunities, they face fewer expected obstacles and have greater continuance intention. In addition, the present study demonstrates that attitude influences behavioral intentions.