# The Digital Footprints on the Run: A Forensic Examination of Android Running Workout Applications
## 3 Materials and Methods
### Method  
Applications monitoring running activities have a growing user base and popularity [24]. In this paper, we study six popular applications: _Adidas Running_ ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runtastic.android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runtastic.android)]([https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runtastic.android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runtastic.android)) (accessed on 8 August 2024)), _Asics Runkeeper_ ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnesskeeper.runkeeper.pro](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnesskeeper.runkeeper.pro)]([https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnesskeeper.runkeeper.pro](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnesskeeper.runkeeper.pro)) (accessed on 8 August 2024)), _MapMyWalk_ ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapmywalk.android2](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapmywalk.android2)]([https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapmywalk.android2](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapmywalk.android2)) (accessed on 8 August 2024)), _Nike Run Club_ ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nike.plusgps](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nike.plusgps)]([https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nike.plusgps](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nike.plusgps)) (accessed on 8 August 2024)), _Pumatrac_ ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pumapumatrac](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pumapumatrac)]([https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pumapumatrac](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pumapumatrac)) (accessed on 8 August 2024)), and _Strawa_ ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strava](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strava)]([https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strava](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strava)) (accessed on 8 August 2024)). The criteria for choosing these applications were (_i_) having millions of downloads; (_ii_) recording running activities with GPS coordinates; (_iii_) being free or providing a freemium model; (_iv_) having the ability to execute without an always-on Internet connection; (_v_) having availability for the Android platform. Note that hundreds of applications could fit these criteria. We selected the most used and reviewed applications, rounding our selection to these six. As stated earlier, Table 3 summarizes the main stats of the studied applications from the Google Play Store. We initiated by configuring a rooted smartphone with the requisite applications installed to gather ample data for our research. Subsequently, we established user accounts and meticulously documented identical outdoor activities within each application. This methodology facilitated the accumulation of data, enabling us to conduct a comparative analysis of the variations in data across different applications. To thoroughly examine each application, we undertook a month-long data-gathering process, during which we monitored a varied set of 20 workouts. These workouts were evenly distributed between indoor running and outdoor walks, spanning a total distance of 3 km and lasting over 30 min each. Furthermore, we conducted these activities across various locations within the city to capture a broad spectrum of data. Additionally, we thoroughly explored the distinctive features of each application, augmenting them with additional information and integrating them with companion apps and other relevant platforms. In our analysis, we adhered to the methods outlined in NIST's publication 800-86, which incorporates forensic techniques and incident response plans [25].