Observing Others’ Workouts on Social Network Sites Improves the Observer’s Physical Activity: A Moderated-Mediation Model

ABSTRACT

Many people like to share their physical activity (PA) experiences on social network sites (SNSs). Drawing on social cognitive theory, we examined in two studies whether observing others’ workouts on SNSs could improve the observer’s PA via the mediation of workout self-efficacy. In study 1, a two-wave longitudinal online survey of 461 participants, exposure to SNS workout posts was positively associated with PA through workout self-efficacy. In study 2, an online experimental study with 124 participants, manipulating perceived similarity revealed that it moderates between exposure to SNS workout posts and workout self-efficacy. Moreover, moderation of the indirect effect between exposure to SNS workout posts and PA via workout self-efficacy was supported. These findings reveal the mechanisms and boundary conditions of social media exposure improving workout self-efficacy and promoting PA.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets and code are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical approval

Study 1 was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of Peking University (IRB00001052-21163). Study 2 was approved by the Ethics Committee in Guangming School of Journalism and Communication, China University of Political Science and Law.

Additional information

Funding

In connection with this study, Miao Miao was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China [22CSH046]; Shuangqing Liu was supported by the Duansheng Qian Distinguished Scholars Support Project [1211-1140065150], the Young Teachers’ Academic Innovation Team Project [21CXTD04], and the Emerging Discipline Construction Project of China University of Political Science and Law [22ZFXXXK02].