The influence of social media on motivation for physical activity and sports participation: A systematic review

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Physical inactivity is recognized as one of the leading global public health concerns and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). In recent years, the rapid expansion of digital technologies and social media platforms has significantly changed the ways individuals communicate, access health information, and participate in physical activity-related communities. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube are increasingly used to promote healthy lifestyles, exercise participation, and sports engagement.

Social media enables users to share experiences, communicate with peers, and receive social support, which may positively influence motivation for physical activity (Centola, 2013). Previous studies have shown that online social interaction may increase exercise adherence, accountability, and engagement in health-related behaviors (Cavallo et al., 2012). Furthermore, social media-based interventions frequently incorporate behavioral change strategies such as goal setting, feedback, self-monitoring, and gamification, which may contribute to increased physical activity levels (Edney et al., 2020). The integration of social networking components into physical activity interventions has become increasingly common during the past decade. Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated positive effects of Facebook groups, mobile applications, and online fitness communities on exercise participation and motivation (Maher et al., 2015; Looyestyn et al., 2018). In addition, wearable devices and smartphone applications connected to social platforms enable users to monitor progress and receive immediate feedback regarding their physical activity behaviors (Direito et al., 2015).

Young adults and university students represent one of the populations most exposed to social media platforms, making them an important target group for digital health interventions (Pew Research Center, 2021). Since sedentary behavior and insufficient physical activity are highly prevalent among young populations, social media may provide a practical and cost-effective strategy for promoting healthier lifestyles (Hebden et al., 2014). Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic further increased the reliance on online exercise programs and virtual fitness communities, emphasizing the growing importance of social media in physical activity promotion (Stockwell et al., 2021). Despite the growing popularity of social media-based interventions, findings regarding their effectiveness remain inconsistent. While some studies have reported significant improvements in physical activity levels and exercise motivation, others have found limited or non-significant effects (Cavallo et al., 2012). Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding potential negative consequences of social media use, including body dissatisfaction, unhealthy social comparison, and exercise addiction (Vaterlaus et al., 2015).

Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to examine the influence of social mediabased interventions on motivation for physical activity and sports participation. In addition, the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale in order to evaluate the strength and reliability of the available evidence.

Materials and Methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The aim of the review was to examine the influence of social media-based interventions on motivation for physical activity and sports participation. Relevant studies published between 2012 and 2025 were identified, screened, and analyzed using predefined eligibility criteria.

Electronic database searches were performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English were considered for inclusion. Studies were independently screened based on titles and abstracts, followed by fulltext assessment when eligibility was unclear. Duplicates were removed before the screening process.

The methodological quality of the included randomized and controlled studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The PEDro scale consists of 11 criteria evaluating methodological rigor, including randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, follow-up adequacy, and statistical reporting. Studies with higher PEDro scores were considered to have better methodological quality.

Data extracted from the included studies consisted of the following variables: author and publication year, study design, sample characteristics, population type, social media platform used, intervention duration, outcome measures, measurement tools, and main findings related to physical activity and exercise motivation. The extracted data were summarized and presented in tabular form.

Search Strategy

We performed a thorough literature search across several electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The investigation targeted papers released from 2012 to 2025. We utilized combinations of keywords and Boolean terms to locate publications exploring how social platforms associate with bodily movement. The search query incorporated the following combinations: “social media” AND “physical activity”; “social networking” AND “exercise motivation”; “Facebook” AND “physical activity intervention”; “Instagram” AND “exercise behavior”; “TikTok” AND “physical activity”; “social media intervention” AND “sports participation”; “online platforms” AND “exercise adherence”.

Inclusion Criteria

Papers were selected for this systematic review based on the following eligibility parameters:

• •    First-hand research papers from peer-reviewed scientific journals

• •    Manuscripts written and published in English

• •    Designs including randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, pilot trials, or experimental designs

• •    Projects evaluating digital, social-media-focused programs targeting sports engagement or bodily movement

• •    Investigations documenting results linked to exercise adherence, physical activity levels, sport involvement, or workout motivation

• •    Research published within the 2012–2025 timeframe

Exclusion Criteria We excluded studies if they met any of the following conditions:

• •    Syntheses (systematic reviews, meta-analyses), conference proceedings, opinion pieces, or individual case profiles

• •    Articles written in languages other than English

• •    Research lacking measurements of physical exercise or movement outcomes

• •    Interventions lacking any online community or social media elements

• •    Overlapping/duplicate datasets or unfinished drafts

• •    Papers with missing methodology that prevented scoring with the PEDro instrument

This systematic analysis ultimately incorporated 15 primary research papers, detailed in Table 1. These publications mostly utilized randomized controlled trials alongside experimental approaches to evaluate the effects of social media platforms on physical activity participation and exercise motivation. Most interventions utilized Facebook groups, mobile applications, or online social support components to encourage engagement in physical activity behaviors. Program lengths spanned from 3 weeks up to 6 months, observing diverse cohorts such as teenagers, college students, individuals with overweight, and active leisure participants. On the whole, most of the selected papers identified positive impacts of online social platforms on workout consistency, movement metrics, and motivational factors.

Legend: ↑ statistically significant increase; ↓ statistically significant decrease; ↔ no statistically significant change; ↑* positive trend without statistical significance; RCT = randomized controlled trial; PA = physical activity; MVPA = moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; IPAQ = International Physical Activity Questionnaire; SMS = short message service; App = mobile application; PEDro = Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale; CT = Controlled trial; PS = Pilot study; IS = Intervention study.

Results

To improve the clarity and consistency of the findings, quantitative outcomes were reported whenever possible. However, due to differences in study design, intervention characteristics, social media platforms, and physical activity measurement tools, several findings were described qualitatively. While some studies explicitly reported changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), daily step counts, or exercise adherence, other outcomes such as motivation, social support, and behavioral engagement were presented descriptively. Greater standardization of intervention protocols and reporting methods in future studies may facilitate more accurate comparisons across social media-based physical activity interventions.