Social Media & Athletic Performance: A Hidden Factor?
Social media is everywhere, and for athletes, it can be a powerful tool or a hidden performance drain. Whether it’s scrolling through Instagram, watching TikTok highlights, or engaging in Twitter debates, research suggests that pre-training social media use can negatively impact mental sharpness, endurance, and decision-making.
Here’s what the science says—and how you can optimize your social media habits for better performance.
The Science: Social Media & Mental Fatigue in Athletes
Study #1: Social Media Before Training Impairs Volleyball Performance
A 2021 study on volleyball players (Fortes et al.) found that using social media for just 30 minutes before training led to:
✔ Slower decision-making in attack and passing situations.
✔ Increased perceived effort (RPE)—training felt harder.
✔ No improvement in performance, while those who avoided social media improved.
Study #2: Social Media & Endurance in Swimmers
A 2022 study on high-level swimmers (Fortes et al.) found that athletes who used social media before training:
✔ Failed to improve endurance performance, unlike teammates who stayed off social media.
✔ Experienced higher mental fatigue, making workouts feel harder.
✔ Showed no progress in 100m & 400m freestyle times over eight weeks.
Practical Takeaways for Athletes
To maximize focus, endurance, and decision-making, here’s how to manage social media use:
- Avoid Social Media Before Training & Games
• Give your brain a break—mental fatigue sets in before physical fatigue.
• Instead, focus on visualization, mobility work, or tactical preparation. - Use Social Media for Learning, Not Just Entertainment
• Follow reliable sports science sources over influencers promoting quick fixes.
• Engage in meaningful discussions instead of mindless scrolling. - Be Intentional About When You Scroll
• Limit usage to recovery periods—post-training, rest days, or downtime.
• Avoid content that adds stress or mental clutter before competition.
Final Thoughts: Social Media as a Tool, Not a Distraction
Social media isn’t the enemy—but how you use it matters. If you’re serious about performance, take control of your habits.
Try a one-week challenge: Avoid social media two hours before training and track how you feel. More focused? Less drained? Stronger in decision-making? Let us know!