Online Fitness Research Articles

Problem Gambling in the Fitness World-A General Population Web Survey.

The world of sports has a complex association to problem gambling, and the sparse research examining problem gambling in athletes has suggested an increased prevalence and particularly high male predominance. The present study aimed to study frequency and correlates of problem gambling in populations with moderate to high involvement in fitness or physical exercise. This is a self-selective online survey focusing on addictive behaviors in physical exercise distributed by ‘fitness influencers’ on social media and other online fitness forums to their followers. Respondents were included if they reported exercise at least thrice weekly, were above 15 years of age, and provided informed consent (N = 3088). Problem gambling, measured with the Lie/Bet, was studied in association with demographic data, substance use, and mental health variables. The occurrence of lifetime problem gambling was 8 percent (12 percent in men, one percent in women). In logistic regression, problem gambling was associated with male gender, younger age, risky alcohol drinking, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and less frequent exercise habits. In conclusion, in this self-recruited population with moderate to high fitness involvement, problem gambling was moderately elevated. As shown previously in elite athletes, the male predominance was larger than in the general population. The findings strengthen the link between problem gambling and the world of sports.

Effects of SNS Social Capital on E-Service Quality and Sustained Referral Intentions of E-Fitness Apparel: Comparative Body Image Satisfaction Analysis

Fitness apparel companies target consumers with easy access to social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest). However, fitness apparel companies have struggled to incorporate social interactivity into their marketing strategies due to a lack of knowledge about consumers’ social media behaviors and different country contexts. The purpose of this study was to investigate (1) comparison of college students’ body image satisfaction in both the United States (U.S.) and South Korea and (2) how their body satisfaction influences consumer communication and the sustained referral intentions of fitness apparel in social media. The findings from 1144 survey responses of U.S. and South Korean college students reveal that student body satisfaction differs between the two countries. Body-dissatisfied U.S. and South Korean students with social capital on social networking websites are directly influenced by word-of-mouth regarding online fitness apparel purchases. Furthermore, perceived e-service quality, including website design and website responsiveness, is a significant mediator in both cultures, affecting the word-of-mouth for fitness-related purchases. This study provides evidence for marketers of fitness apparel, particularly e-marketers, to consider the cultural differences in customer preferences and customer body satisfaction, so as to enhance service performance.

P182 Own Your Own Health: Influencing Healthy Behaviors in Underserved Areas Through Online Challenges

Objective The Own Your Own Health (OYOH) program evaluation explores the influence of annual on-line fitness challenges on adoption and maintenance of healthier eating and physical activity behaviors among Louisiana's adult participants. Use of Theory or Research Team and individual challenges to motivate behavioral change through social support and approval is grounded in Social Cognitive Theory. Tracking progress and sharing experiences with other OYOH participants to affect attitude and intention to maintain healthy behaviors is predicted by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Target Audience OYOH is open to anyone, but highly promoted within Louisiana's minority communities. The evaluation targets adult, first-time OYOH annual challenge registrants, who reside in state and agree to participate. Program Description OYOH is an on-line health promotion program of Louisiana's Bureau of Minority Health Access. It uses community-based recruitment techniques in underserved areas to engage participants in game-like fitness challenges, nutrition/fitness/health messages, and communication of strategies and successes to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Evaluation Methods Two online surveys were developed and implemented annually for three-years (2016-2018). A baseline survey was linked to initial program registration; a six-month follow-up survey was linked to participation in the baseline survey. Healthy eating indicators included vegetable, fruit, whole grain, sodium, and fat consumption. Physical activity indicators included time spent being active/inactive. Demographics were collected; data was self-reported. Results Minority populations comprised ∼50% of survey participants. At follow-up, participants appeared to have increased (as percent change), consumption of fruits, green and orange vegetables, and whole grains; reduced or become watchful of fats and/or sodium; increased time being physically active. Size differences in baseline (n = 598) and follow-up (n = 128) survey groups precluded t-test significance. Still, ∼85% of participants maintained some physical activity six-months post-challenge; ∼90% would participate in multiple challenges each year. Conclusions The OYOH program appears to be reaching Louisiana's minority communities and influencing eating and physical activity behaviors. However, increased participation in follow-up assessments is needed to more rigorously evaluate program efficacy and inform future applications.

Online Walking- Really? Comparing Online Activity Courses With Traditional Face To Face Courses.

As female students enter college they are given many opportunities to be physical active including fitness classes and student gym memberships. Despite many benefits and opportunities, many female college students are not achieving the recommended 10,000 steps per day (Clemente et al, 2016). Activity trackers provide additional short and long term motivation for becoming physically active (Fritz, 2014). An online activity tracker based course possesses unique opportunities to increase student autonomy and exercise self-efficacy. Both of which are related to physical activity levels. Findings will provide valuable insight into benefits and drawbacks of online activity courses. PURPOSE: This study sought to examine effects of an online fitness course on psychosocial aspects of physical activity (i.e. exercise self-efficacy and intention to be physically active) in female college students. METHODS:Participants (N=42, mean age = 20.1 ± 1.5 years) college undergraduate students. Study consisted of three groups. Experiential group contained 14 students enrolled in online walking. Control group one had 14 females students enrolled in face to face activity course and the other contain 14 students who never took an activity course. Each group was given a survey measuring exercise self-efficacy and intention to exercise at the start of the semester and then 15 weeks later. RESULTS: Two 3(group) X 2 (time) RMANOVA were run to test the interactions. There were significant group by time interactions for both intention to continue exercising [F (2, 39) = 9.26, p <.001, η2p = .27] and exercise self-efficacy [F (2, 39) = 23.03, p =.001, η2p = .17] and both indicated large effect sizes (Cohen, 1969). The group by time interactions indicated that participating in activity courses whether online or face to face positively affected students’ intention to exercise as well as their exercise self-efficacy. Control group had no significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provided two valuable insights. First, this study provided evidence of the effectiveness of online courses in influencing students’ intention to continue exercising and exercise self-efficacy. Second, these results demonstrated students can receive similar benefits from online courses as they receive from face to face activity courses.

An Empirical Study on User Experience Evaluation and Identification of Critical UX Issues

We introduce an approach that supports researchers and practitioners to determine the quality of first-time user experience (FTUX) and long-term user experience (LTUX), as well as to identify critical issues with these two types of UX. The product we chose to study is a mobile fitness application. Mobile apps tend to have a much shorter service life than most other products; thus, the developers/designers need to pay great attention to both first-time and long-term user experience. This study is based on a multi-method approach. We employed the AttrakDiff questionnaire to assess users’ first impressions of the app, and the UX Curve method to evaluate how users’ experience of the app has changed over time. Besides the quantitative data, which helped to determine the quality of user experience, we also collected qualitative data during two interviews with participants, and focused on the issues that predominantly deteriorated user experience. A four-coordinate plane tool was designed later in the data analysis process that combined the two kinds of user experience data at the same time, which led to a qualitative positioning of the user experience status of a certain product. The model was further successfully adopted in the identification of user experience issues of an online fitness application.

Self-reported Measures of Strength and Sport-Specific Skills Distinguish Ranking in an International Online Fitness Competition

Serafini, PR, Feito, Y, and Mangine, GT. Self-reported measures of strength and sport-specific skills distinguish ranking in an international online fitness competition. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3483-3493, 2018-To determine if self-reported performance measures could distinguish ranking during the 2016 CrossFit Open, data from 3,000 male (n = 1,500; 27.2 ± 8.4 years; 85.2 ± 7.9 kg; 177.0 ± 6.5 cm) and women (n = 1500, 28.7 ± 4.9 years; 63.7 ± 5.8 kg; 163.7 ± 6.6 cm) competitors was used for this study. Competitors were split by gender and grouped into quintiles (Q1-Q5) based upon their final ranking. Quintiles were compared for one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat, deadlift, clean and jerk (CJ), snatch, 400 m sprint, 5,000 m run, and benchmark workouts (Fran, Helen, Grace, Filthy-50, and Fight-Gone-Bad). Separate one-way analyses of variance revealed that all competitors in Q1 reported greater (p ≤ 0.05) 1RM loads for squat (men: 201.6 ± 19.1 kg; women: 126.1 ± 13.0 kg), deadlift (men: 232.4 ± 20.5 kg; women: 148.3 ± 14.5 kg), CJ (men: 148.9 ± 12.1 kg; women: 95.7 ± 8.4 kg), and snatch (men: 119.4 ± 10.9 kg; women 76.5 ± 7.6 kg) compared with other quintiles. In addition, men in Q1 (59.3 ± 5.9 seconds) reported faster (p ≤ 0.05) 400 m times than Q3 only (62.6 ± 7.3 seconds), but were not different from any group in the 5,000 m run. Women in Q2 (67.5 ± 8.8 seconds) reported faster (p ≤ 0.05) 400 m times than Q3-Q5 (73.5-74.8 seconds), and faster (21.3 ± 1.8 minutes, p < 0.02) 5,000 m times than Q4 (22.6 ± 2.2 minutes) and Q5 (22.6 ± 1.9 minutes). Faster (p ≤ 0.05) Fran times were reported by Q1 (men: 138.2 ± 13.3 seconds; women: 159.4 ± 28.3 seconds) compared with other groups, while the results of other workouts were variable. These data indicate that the most successful athletes excel in all areas of fitness/skill, while lower-ranking athletes should focus on developing strength and power after achieving sufficient proficiency in sport-specific skills.

Unbiased Sampling of Users from (Online) Activity Data

Online platforms offer new opportunities to study human behavior. However, while social scientists are often interested in using behavioral trace data—data created by a user over the course of their everyday life—to draw inferences about users, many online platforms only allow data to be sampled based on user activities (leading to data sets that are biased toward highly active users). Here, we introduce a simple method for reweighting activity-based sample statistics in order to provide descriptive (and potentially model-based) estimates of the user population. We illustrate these techniques by applying them to a case study of an online fitness community (Strava) and use it to explore basic network properties. Last, we explore the weights effect on model-based estimates for count data.

Online fitness to practise specific module alters physiotherapy students’ health knowledge, perceptions and intentions

Health professional students experience fitness to practise (FTP) issues but commonly do not seek help. Strategies to support students’ FTP in preparation for clinical placement are warranted. This article adds further insights into curriculum to support students’ FTP. The purpose of the study was to gain insight into students’ perception, levels of confidence, knowledge, understanding and help-seeking intentions regarding FTP issues and their supports. Year 3 and 4 Bachelor of Physiotherapy students provided open-ended responses regarding the impact of undertaking an education module to increase their awareness of FTP issues and associated support systems. After completing the module, students were more confident to define FTP, able to identify support systems and more likely to seek help for FTP issues. They were less likely to self-manage FTP issues although this was not statistically significant. After viewing the curriculum students increased their awareness of where to seek help from 52/68 (77%) to 50/50 (100%). Students also increased their understanding of what to do if a peer had an FTP issue from 31/68 (45%) to 46/50 (92%). The factors that both facilitate and discourage help-seeking behaviour were discussed. An FTP specific module altered students’ perceptions, levels of confidence, knowledge and understanding regarding FTP issues. It also increased students’ intentions to seek help. Strategies to support students’ FTP issues were described with discussion of strategies to improve the FTP specific module.

Recreational athletes’ running motivations as predictors of their use of online fitness community features

ABSTRACTFitness wearables and apps provide users with quantified information about their exercise behaviour. Users often access this information on online fitness communities (OFCs) such as RunKeeper or Strava. These OFCs do not only provide feedback on the user’s performance but also offer social features. To date, little is known about the extent to which the different features in OFCs answer to users’ motivations to exercise. This study addresses this question, by examining (1) whether there are differences in motivations for running between OFC users and non-users and (2) whether the use of particular features is driven by particular running motivations. A survey study was conducted among 717 runners, of which 57% used an OFC to support running activities. Results demonstrate that OFC users are more achievement-oriented than non-OFC users, especially regarding the attainment of personal goals. OFC users with physical motivations (e.g. weight loss) use self-regulatory features more frequently, while runners with social motivations more often use features that afford them to share activities on social media. Achievement-oriented runners appreciate features that allow them to track their progress and interact with other OFC users. No relation was found between the use of OFC features and psychological motivations for running.

Self-reported Measures Of Strength And Sport-specific Skills Distinguish Ranking Among Females In An International Online Fitness Competition

Self-reported Measures Of Strength And Sport-specific Skills Distinguish Ranking Among Females In An International Online Fitness Competition

The Influence Of Pace On Performance During A Five-week Online Fitness Competition.

The Influence Of Pace On Performance During A Five-week Online Fitness Competition.

Self reported Performance Measures Of Males Are Predictive Of Overall Performance In The Crossfit Open

PURPOSE: To determine if measures of strength and skill, obtained from online athlete profiles, could distinguish overall performance in an international online fitness competition (OFC). METHODS: The highest ranking male competitors (n = 1500; 27.18 ± 8.4 y; 85.2 ± 7.88 kg; 177.01 ± 6.47 cm) were split into quintile groups (Q1 - Q5). Subsequently, quintile comparisons were made using self-reported performances for a one-repetition maximum (1RM), squat (SQ), deadlift (DL), clean and jerk (CJ), snatch (SN), 400-m sprint, 5,000-m run, and benchmark workouts (Fran, Helen, Grace, Filthy 50, and Flight-gone-bad) via separate one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Greater (p < 0.011) performance scores were reported by Q1 for DL (232.4 ± 20.5 kg), SQ (201.6 ± 19.1 kg), CJ (148.9 ± 12.1 kg), SN (119.4 ± 10.9 kg) and Fran (2.3 ± 0.2 min) compared to all other quintiles. For Grace, Q1 (1.7 ± 0.4 min) reported faster (p < 0.001) completion times than Q3 - Q5, while their performances in the 400-m sprint (59.3 ± 5.9 sec), Helen (7.6 ± 0.6 min) and Flight-gone-bad (430 ± 70 repetitions) were only better than Q3 (62.6 ± 7.3 sec, p = 0.022), Q4 (7.9 ± 0.7 min, p = 0.007) and Q5 (398 ± 73 repetitions, p = 0.010) respectively. No specific quintile differences were observed in 5,000-m or Filthy-50 performance. CONCLUSION: The data indicates that the most successful male athletes in this OFC possessed the greatest strength and power. Further, these athletes performed the best in a short-duration (< 3 min) sports-specific workout (i.e., Fran) that emphasized these characteristics. Lower ranking athletes should focus on emphasizing strength and power development once sufficient anaerobic, aerobic, and sports-specific proficiency has been attained.

Computer-Mediated Social Support for Physical Activity: A Content Analysis.

Online fitness communities are a recent phenomenon experiencing growing user bases. They can be considered as online social networks in which recording, monitoring, and sharing of physical activity (PA) are the most prevalent practices. They have added a new dimension to the social experience of PA in which online peers function as virtual PA partners or supporters. However, research into seeking and receiving computer-mediated social support for PA is scarce. Our aim was to study to what extent using online fitness communities and sharing physical activities with online social networks results in receiving various types of online social support. Two databases, one containing physical activities logged with Strava and one containing physical activities logged with RunKeeper and shared on Twitter, were investigated for occurrence and type of social support, by means of a deductive content analysis. Results indicate that social support delivered through Twitter is not particularly extensive. On Strava, social support is significantly more prevalent. Especially esteem support, expressed as compliments for the accomplishment of an activity, is provided on both Strava and Twitter. The results demonstrate that social media have potential as a platform used for providing social support for PA, but differences among various social network sites can be substantial. Especially esteem support can be expected, in contrast to online health communities, where information support is more common.

Engineering Online and In-Person Social Networks for Physical Activity: A Randomized Trial.

Social networks can influence physical activity, but little is known about how best to engineer online and in-person social networks to increase activity. The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized trial based on the Social Networks for Activity Promotion model to assess the incremental contributions of different procedures for building social networks on objectively measured outcomes. Physically inactive adults (n=308, age, 50.3 (SD=8.3) years, 38.3% male, 83.4% overweight/obese) were randomized to one of three groups. The Promotion group evaluated the effects of weekly emailed tips emphasizing social network interactions for walking (e.g., encouragement, informational support); the Activity group evaluated the incremental effect of adding an evidence-based online fitness walking intervention to the weekly tips; and the Social Networks group evaluated the additional incremental effect of providing access to an online networking site for walking as well as prompting walking/activity across diverse settings. The primary outcome was mean change in accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), assessed at 3 and 9months from baseline. Participants increased their MVPA by 21.0min/week, 95% CI [5.9, 36.1], p=.005, at 3months, and this change was sustained at 9months, with no between-group differences. Although the structure of procedures for targeting social networks varied across intervention groups, the functional effect of these procedures on physical activity was similar. Future research should evaluate if more powerful reinforcers improve the effects of social network interventions. The trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01142804).

Understanding persistence in the use of Online Fitness Communities: Comparing novice and experienced users

Mobile and wearable technologies facilitate physiological data collection for health and wellness purposes. Users typically access these data via Online Fitness Community (OFC) platforms (e.g., Fitbit, Strava, RunKeeper). These platforms present users with functionalities centered on self-monitoring, social networking and enjoyment. In order to fully benefit from these functionalities, users need to make a habit out of integrating OFC use into their everyday workout routines. However, research suggests that users often fail to use OFCs over a longer period of time. This study sheds light on the factors that explain persisted OFC use. To that end, the study compares novice and experienced users in terms of their OFC use motives and how these motives contribute to the habitual integration of OFCs into everyday workout routines. Based on the survey responses of 394 OFC users, a multi-sample structural equation model indicates that self-regulatory and social motives directly predict habitual OFC use, and that enjoyment and self-regulatory motives indirectly predict habitual OFC use, by driving the perceived usefulness of OFCs. Moderation analysis revealed that, for novice users, self-regulatory motives are the prime drivers of habitual OFC use, while social motives and enjoyment are more important for experienced users.

Exploring online fitness culture and young females

While previous studies have investigated online health communities and health-seeking behaviours, less attention has been directed at the growing impact of the online fitness movement. This paper draws on the concept of biopedagogies to examine the messages transmitted within fitness culture on social networking sites (SNSs), and their role as a channel for health and fitness information. To explore this, a multi-method approach was conducted. The two methods included a netnography (online ethnography) and 22 semi-structured individual interviews with female participants aged 18–24 in Australia. The study suggests that online fitness use is becoming a popular leisure activity and source of health and fitness information. It reveals how SNSs are used as a platform to gather and teach ideas of health and fitness, and the manner in which textual and photographic online communication facilitates the social construction and transmission of this knowledge. Results indicated that although fitness accounts on SNSs offer differing notions to present alternative and competing realities, users predominantly chose to follow the normalised and dominant health discourses. Noteworthy, the onus is firmly placed on the individual within these health and fitness messages to adhere to norms of correct health practices and choices. This has connotations relevant to eHealth literacy.

Characteristics and Behaviors of Older Male Anabolic Steroid Users

Objective: To compare and contrast the characteristics of 2 groups of men ≥40 years old: reported anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) users and nonusers. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Thirty-eight online fitness, weight lifting, bodybuilding, and steroid Web sites. Participants: A total of 67 male AAS users and 76 male nonusers ≥40 years old. Main Outcomes Measured: Demographics, utilization of AAS and other performance-enhancing agents (PEAs), exercise patterns, history of illicit drugs and alcohol use, and psychiatric traits/diagnoses. Results: The majority of AAS users ≥40 years old were caucasian (92.5%), heterosexual (97.0%), and classified themselves as recreational exercisers (79.1%). AAS users took more PEAs (11.5 ± 5.6 vs 4.6 ± 2.7; P < .001), were more likely to binge drink (47.8% vs 29.0%; P = .025), report heavy alcohol use (21.0% vs 7.9%; P = .031), meet criteria for substance dependence disorder (27.4% vs 4.0%; P < .001), and report an anxiety disorder diagnosis (12.0% vs 2.6%; P = .046) than nonusers. Conclusions: AAS misuse is prevalent among older men and is associated with polypharmacy, more aggressive alcohol use, and a higher incidence of substance dependence and anxiety disorders compared to nonusers. This information may help clinicians and researchers identify and develop appropriate intervention strategies for AAS abuse among older men.

Improving the Effectiveness of an Online Fitness Program: The Walk Georgia Experience

Many Extension programs are addressing the obesity issue through on-line physical activity programs. Using data from the Walk Georgia program at the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, two regression analyses were conducted to determine the characteristics of those who under-utilize the program and what factors influence how effectively a county recruits participants. The results of the data analysis show that Extension must develop incentives to motivate those who participate less, such as women, minorities, and those with lower incomes and less education and enlist volunteers and other community leaders to recruit more participants.

A Study on the Effectiveness of e-Trade Marketing for Export Performance

The objective of this study is to improve export performance using e-Trade marketing systems. The use of e-Trade has been increasing but there is some controversy about the performance of e-Trade marketing for Small-to-Medium enterprises (SME). The research construct for determining the export performance is suggested and five factors are introduced in this paper such as: B2B relationship and cooperation, product complexity, online fitness, level of internationalization, and use of e-Trade marketing. Sample data were collected from the companies who are familiar with the e-Trade systems. The result shows that the use of e-Trade marketing mostly contributes to the increase of export performance. The regression and cluster an머sis shows that both variables of e-Trade marketing and on-line fitness are significant to high export performance group. The implication for SMEs is that the use of e-Trade marketing methods could contribute to the increase of export performance and more analytical works need to be made for future study.

Webwatch: Ageing and sport

http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness AARP is a US non-profit membership organisation that addresses the needs and interests of individuals aged 50 years and older. This section of the organisation's site offers a range of resources for the general public on walking, various sports, office exercises, choosing a personal trainer, and more. Links from the lower left of the main page include an online fitness course and activities workbook. http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/activity.htm This report from the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality provides extensive data on the importance of physical activity in older adults, the prevalence and costs of inactivity, and the health benefits of regular activity. It also recommends specific levels of physical activity to attain benefits. http://www.icaa.cc The ICAA offers educational materials and other resources to professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation, medical, and wellness fields whose aim it is to change society's perceptions of ageing and improving the quality of life for ageing boomers and older adults. Headline news, sample newsletters, links to various fitness and wellness-related studies, and some full-text reports are available online to non-members. http://www.nsga.com This is the home site for senior competitive sports and olympics. Highlights include a hall of fame, online newsletters, and links to games held at the (US) state level. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/growing_stronger/index.htm This site provides a comprehensive strength training programme, and a downloadable (pdf format) guide and weblinks, to encourage older adults to “feel stronger, healthier, and more vital.” http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exercise/toc.html Here is an informative and motivational multimedia presentation on exercise for older adults. The section includes suggested exercises, streaming video, quizzes, and safety advice.