"Those sweet, sweet likes": Sharing physical activity over social network sites

This study explored the naturally occurring interactions over social network sites (SNS) about physical activity. A mixed methods design was used. Participants (N=244) completed a cross sectional survey included open-ended questions about the reasons for posting or not posting about physical activity on SNS, as well as how others respond to their posts. A qualitative analysis was performed on the reasons for posting and not posting on SNS. Reasons for sharing physical activity included: keeping people informed, inviting others to join in, inspiring others and gaining recognition. For those who did not share, reasons reported were privacy concerns and a lack of interest. Results of a logistic regression revealed that sharers were more likely check SNS frequently, be a student and be physically active. Individuals may receive social support for physical activity via SNS as they talk about receiving encouragement.Some individuals may not be open to posting about physical activity on SNS due to privacy or a lack of interest.Individuals who share physical activity information over SNS are more likely to be more physically active.

[1]  Jane D. Brown,et al.  A social media-based physical activity intervention: a randomized controlled trial. , 2012, American journal of preventive medicine.

[2]  R. Shephard,et al.  A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community. , 1969, Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport.

[3]  Chia-Yi Liu,et al.  Can Facebook Use Induce Well-Being? , 2013, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[4]  Sheldon Cohen.  Social relationships and health. , 2004, The American psychologist.

[5]  D. Warburton,et al.  Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence , 2006, Canadian Medical Association Journal.

[6]  A. Kaplan,et al.  Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media , 2010 .

[7]  M. Chogahara,et al.  A multidimensional scale for assessing positive and negative social influences on physical activity in older adults. , 1999, The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences.

[8]  Catalina L. Toma,et al.  When social media isn’t social: Friends’ responsiveness to narcissists on Facebook , 2015 .

[9]  M. Kreuter,et al.  Social environment and physical activity: a review of concepts and evidence. , 2006, Social science & medicine.

[10]  P. Greenfield,et al.  Me and my 400 friends: the anatomy of college students' Facebook networks, their communication patterns, and well-being. , 2012, Developmental psychology.

[11]  Brett Smith,et al.  Qualitative Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health: From process to product , 2013, QMiP Bulletin.

[12]  Albert V. Carron,et al.  Social influence and exercise: A meta-analysis. , 1996 .

[13]  L. Hartling,et al.  A systematic review of the use and effectiveness of social media in child health , 2014, BMC Pediatrics.

[14]  Matthew K. O. Lee,et al.  Understanding Twitter Usage: What Drive People Continue to Tweet , 2010, PACIS.

[15]  Robert LaRose,et al.  How does online social networking enhance life satisfaction? The relationships among online supportive interaction, affect, perceived social support, sense of community, and life satisfaction , 2014, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[16]  Hsin-Chieh Yeh,et al.  Effect of the 2011 vs 2003 duty hour regulation-compliant models on sleep duration, trainee education, and continuity of patient care among internal medicine house staff: a randomized trial. , 2013, JAMA internal medicine.

[17]  Brenda K. Wiederhold.  Are "Facebook Murders" a Growing Trend? , 2013, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[18]  S. Hofmann,et al.  Why Do People Use Facebook? , 2012, Personality and individual differences.

[19]  Jianwen Cai,et al.  A randomized trial of a Facebook-based physical activity intervention for young adult cancer survivors , 2013, Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

[20]  L. Mâsse,et al.  Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. , 2008, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[21]  Adriana M. Manago,et al.  Developmental Psychology Me and My 400 Friends : The Anatomy of College Students ' Facebook Networks , Their Communication Patterns , and Well-Being , 2012 .

[22]  Robin L. Nabi,et al.  Facebook Friends with (Health) Benefits? Exploring Social Network Site Use and Perceptions of Social Support, Stress, and Well-Being , 2013, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[23]  B. B. Brown,et al.  Motives for Using Facebook, Patterns of Facebook Activities, and Late Adolescents’ Social Adjustment to College , 2013, Journal of youth and adolescence.

[24]  R. Motl,et al.  Meeting U.S. Healthy People 2010 levels of physical activity: agreement of 2 measures across 2 years. , 2010, Annals of epidemiology.

[25]  Conor Linehan,et al.  Motivating physical activity at work: Using persuasive social media extensions for simple mobile devices , 2010 .

[26]  R. Weiss.  The provisions of social relationships , 1974 .

[27]  Sandra L. Calvert,et al.  College students' social networking experiences on Facebook , 2009 .

[28]  R. Rhodes,et al.  Personality correlates of physical activity: a review and meta-analysis , 2006, British Journal of Sports Medicine.

[29]  Cameron W. Piercy,et al.  Notification pending: Online social support from close and nonclose relational ties via Facebook , 2014, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[30]  Kerk F. Kee,et al.  Is There Social Capital in a Social Network Site?: Facebook Use and College Students’ Life Satisfaction, Trust, and Participation 1 , 2009 .

[31]  Bernhard Debatin,et al.  Facebook and Online Privacy: Attitudes, Behaviors, and Unintended Consequences , 2009, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[32]  L. Reinecke,et al.  Influence of Social Support Received in Online and Offline Contexts on Satisfaction With Social Support and Satisfaction With Life: A Longitudinal Study , 2015 .

[33]  B. Vandermeer,et al.  Social media interventions for diet and exercise behaviours: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials , 2014, BMJ Open.

[34]  William Yang Wang,et al.  Electronic Word of Mouth on Twitter About Physical Activity in the United States: Exploratory Infodemiology Study , 2013, Journal of medical Internet research.

[35]  Guilherme L Werneck,et al.  Social support and leisure-time physical activity: longitudinal evidence from the Brazilian Pró-Saúde cohort study , 2011, The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity.

[36]  Katherine M. White,et al.  Psychological Predictors of Young Adults' Use of Social Networking Sites , 2009, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[37]  Cameron Marlow,et al.  A 61-million-person experiment in social influence and political mobilization , 2012, Nature.

[38]  Kerk F. Kee,et al.  Being Immersed in Social Networking Environment: Facebook Groups, Uses and Gratifications, and Social Outcomes , 2009, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[39]  C. Vandelanotte,et al.  Are Health Behavior Change Interventions That Use Online Social Networks Effective? A Systematic Review , 2014, Journal of medical Internet research.