Sport is a physical activity performed regularly and systematically to improve physical fitness, maintain health, and develop motor skills. The rapid growth of social media presents both opportunities and challenges in shaping individuals’ motivation to exercise. While social media can provide social support, gamification, and personalized feedback that encourage active participation in physical activity, exposure to unrealistic body ideals may generate negative effects on mental health. This study aims to systematically analyze the influence of social media on exercise motivation by synthesizing findings from previous research. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 framework. The subjects of this study consisted of peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024 and retrieved from reputable databases. Data were collected using a structured extraction sheet validated by experts, and thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns of positive and negative impacts of social media–based interventions. The results indicate that social media effectively enhances exercise motivation through online community support, gamification strategies, and adaptive motivational content. However, content emphasizing body idealization and excessive platform use may reduce psychological well-being and weaken motivation. This study concludes that social media holds considerable potential as a health education intervention tool if managed ethically, inclusively, and sustainably. The practical implication highlights the importance of designing social media–based programs that balance motivational benefits with the protection of users’ mental health.
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