A recent study by Tel Aviv University has found the first artificial intelligence tool to discover the main reasons for people participate in physical activity and the most effective strategy to maintain fitness routines. By analyzing thousands of social media platform REDDIT, researchers have found that one of four users (23.9%) exercises mainly to improve physical appearance, while others have cited physical health (18.9%) and mental health (16.9%) as their main motivation. This paper was published next time Medical Internet Research Journal (JMIR).
Despite the well -known health benefits of exercise, much of the population cannot participate in sufficient physical activity. Studies show that more than 80% of adolescents and more than a quarter of adults do not meet the minimum exercise guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization. Understanding why people start and adhere to exercise routines are essential for designing arbitration that encourages more consistent physical activity.
Traditionally, studies on motivation for exercise depended on survey and structured interviews. This method provides useful information, but some prejudice is easy to occur. Participants may not represent a wider population because individuals who volunteer for this study tend to have certain characteristics that are distinguished from non -gaspers. In addition, those who respond to the survey can modify the answers to match what researchers want to hear. This problem can lead to an inaccurate picture of motivating people to truly exercise.
To solve these tasks, researchers at Tel Aviv University have switched to social media with data sources. Platforms like Reddit provide people with a space where people share their thoughts and experiences freely. The researchers aimed to gain an essential understanding of why people exercise and why they help to maintain their devotion by analyzing thousands of real discussions.
How did researchers conduct research
The team used artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to scan a Reddit post related to exercise and motivation. They first confirmed that the user frequently discussed physical activity such as R/FITNESS, R/BODYWEWEWETFITNESS and R/Crossfit, and a wide range of discussion groups such as R/ASKREDDIT, R/ASKMEN and R/ASKWON. After filtering an unrelated post, we collected the final data set of 1,850 unique opinions from 2017 to 2021.
To classify these opinions, researchers used high -end text analysis tools. They used a machine learning model to cluster similar statements, and then worked with athletic science experts to check and improve these clusters. In this process, this study confirmed the 10 major topics, which are divided into two categories: a strategy for the reason (motive) and one strategy (compliance strategy).
Analysis shows that the main reason for people exercising is to improve the appearance of the body by referring to 23.9%of users as the main motives. Many participants explained how to exercise to lose weight, increase muscles or achieve certain body shape. This discovery suggests that people can claim exercise outside for health reasons, but aesthetics often play more important role in motion determination.
The second most common motive cited by 18.9%of users was to maintain physical health. These individuals discussed the importance of exercise to prevent disease, manage chronic diseases, and improve overall welfare. Meanwhile, 16.9%of users exercised for mental health benefits and explain how physical activity helped to manage stress, anxiety and depression.
“Researchers in our field usually rely on the cumbersome old -fashioned questionnaire that contains unique prejudices, and understand the reasons why people participate in sports and a strategy that helps to adhere to physical activity. “This is an amazing phenomenon. Science says that if we put more than two hours of physical activity in a week, we can prevent 30%of the disease, improve the quality of life, and extend life. But less than a quarter of the population actually performs this. why? What did we not see? We all wish the health of the loved one on the birthday, but the wish of ‘good movement’ is very rare. But there is a way to be healthy through exercise. Therefore, it is important to understand what people motivate them to participate in physical activity.
“Our findings are not based on their own reports, representative samples, questionnaires or surveys. This is the true reason why people exercise. And the answer is that people exercise mainly to look good. In the questionnaire, people claim that they want to be healthy, but they actually want 6 pack abs. This discovery is important because it teaches how to deal with the public, how people get off on the couch, to promote health and to prevent disease. ”
In addition to motivation, this study surveyed people’s strategies to continue exercise. The most frequently mentioned approach cited by 30%of the user was a habit. Many users emphasized the importance of exercising as a daily part of everyday life, rather than relying on motivation to change exercise. Other effective strategies included the use of digital tools such as target setting (13.9%), enjoyable activities (12.1%), social (9.7%), and fitness apps and online exercise videos (8.9%).
“The result is quite important.” “One strategy is more successful than other strategies that create exercise habits, so it is more recommended than other strategies. If you want to be healthier, you need to develop healthy habits and duration. Drink two glasses of water instead of breakfast and go out to run. As 30%is an empirical statistics that are difficult to argue, as the head of the health department, I can confidently tell the public. Develop a habit and keep your health. ”
Interestingly, this study also analyzed changes in motivation for motor during covid-19 pandemic. During this period, there was a noticeable increase of users who quote physical and mental health as a major motivation, and the motivation related to the appearance was reduced. This change suggests that external factors such as the World Health Crisis can affect the reason why people chose to maintain their activities.
This study provides valuable insights to motivation, but also has certain limitations. This result is based on its own discussion of a specific Reddit user group that does not represent the general population. Reddit tends to attract younger and more familiar individuals, and the perspective on the platform may not fully reflect the perspective of the elderly or the elderly who do not participate in the online fitness community.
In addition, since this study depended on publicly available posts, demographic information for users such as age, gender or fitness level could not be collected. Future research can be used to investigate how people in other groups experience different motives by using more targeted data collection methods.
Despite these limitations, this study provides a new approach to understanding physical behavior. By utilizing artificial intelligence and analyzing real dialogue, researchers can gain deeper insight into what people think about exercise. This knowledge can help form public health messaging, fitness programs and digital tools designed to encourage long -term physical activity.
research,”Reddit discussion analysis of motivation of physical activity: cross -sectional research”” Michal Shmueli-Scheuer, Yedidya Silverman, israel Halperin and Yftach gepner have been written.
