A groundbreaking Tel Aviv University (TAU) study has leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to analyze what motivates people to exercise and the most effective strategies for maintaining physical fitness. This marks the first time AI tools have been used to explore fitness motivations on a large scale.
The research team scanned thousands of posts on Reddit, revealing key insights into why individuals engage in physical activity:
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23.9% exercise primarily to improve their appearance.
18.9% work out to maintain physical health.
16.9% focus on mental health benefits.
The study was conducted by researchers from TAU’s School of Public Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, including Dr. Michal Shmueli-Scheuer, Yedidya Silverman, Prof. Israel Halperin, and Prof. Yftach Gepner. Their findings were published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR).
By utilizing AI-driven data analysis, this study provides valuable insights for fitness professionals, health policymakers, and individuals looking to optimize their exercise motivation and long-term fitness goals.
Prof. Gepner explains: “Researchers in our field usually rely on cumbersome old-school questionnaires, containing inherent biases, to understand why people engage in sports and what strategies help them adhere to physical activity. It’s an astonishing phenomenon: science tells us that if we put just over two hours a week into physical activity, we can prevent 30% of diseases, improve our quality of life, and extend our lifespan; and yet, less than a quarter of the population actually does this. Why? What have we failed to see? While we all wish our loved one’s good health on their birthday, a wish of ‘good workouts’ is quite rare… But there is a way to be healthy – by exercising. That’s why it’s crucial to understand what really motivates people to engage in physical activity and what helps them stick with it.”
Beyond the question of motivation, the researchers also sought to identify strategies that induce people to engage in physical activity. According to the Reddit posts, 30% rely on workout habits (e.g. morning/evening, every Saturday morning), 13.9% set goals (such as losing weight or running 5 km), 12.1% enjoy the activity itself, 9.7% enjoy socializing during workouts, 8.9% use media (such as YouTube workout videos), 2.8% use fitness apps, and 2.5% have made a financial commitment to adhere to physical activity.
“The results are quite significant,” explains Prof. Gepner. “One strategy is more successful and therefore more recommended than others—creating exercise habits. If you want to be healthier, you need to develop healthy habits, period. Instead of a morning cigarette, drink two glasses of water and go out for a run. 30% is an empirical statistic that is hard to argue with, so as the Head of the Department of Health Promotion, I can confidently say to the public: develop habits and be healthy.”
