{"id":11839,"date":"2026-01-16T06:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T05:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=11839"},"modified":"2026-01-15T11:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:08:26","slug":"scrolling-for-strength-the-social-side-to-fitness-tracking-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2026\/01\/16\/scrolling-for-strength-the-social-side-to-fitness-tracking-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"Scrolling for Strength: The social side to fitness tracking apps?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can the social aspect of apps built to track fitness enhance motivation, or does it risk mental\u00a0 fatigue and performance anxiety?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key words<\/strong>: social media, fitness tracking, mental health\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

There is no question of doubt that in today\u2019s culture, social media platforms and fitness\u00a0 tracking apps come hand in hand. Athletes from all sports and skill ranges use apps to track\u00a0 their exercise, fitness, and nutrition, as well as share progress, seek motivation and a form of\u00a0 accountability. This constant exposure to comparison and digital performance pressure raises\u00a0 questions about whether these tools embedded in the fabric of fitness tracking support or\u00a0 sabotage our wellbeing, physically and mentally.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When motivation meets metrics\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The growing implementation of social media into fitness tracking apps can foster a real sense\u00a0 of community, consistency and goal tracking. These apps have seen user rates exponentially grow and their applications range from personal use to use in clinics by surgeons,\u00a0 physiotherapist and dieticians (1). Alleviating global health burdens and providing\u00a0 preventative screening, they are deemed as a useful tool for clinicians.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The motivation to utilise their social side has only spiked in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, where a surge in posting alleviated user anxiety levels (2). Now the\u00a0 effects of such posting patterns and sharing of personal fitness data has been shown to positively impact users\u2019 looking up to fitness influencers for motivation driven by self-efficacy (3). The positive effects of this social craze seem to bear fruit for influencers themselves and\u00a0 not just for scrollers. Posts depicting either positive or negative mannerisms fosters an overall\u00a0 community supplying encouragement and social support (4).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This space is only every growing, with the ability to\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n