“Strava made me do it”: Psychological effects of social comparison and (self-)surveillance on a social network for athletes

The rise of digital fitness platforms like Strava has revolutionized the world of endurance sports by fostering social comparison and self-surveillance among athletes. This research delves into the psychological impact of such social comparisons on Strava users, exploring how the platform influences sport behavior, motivation, and mental well-being. It was hypothesized that adult endurance athletes with a strong social comparison orientation and low self-compassion would be negatively affected by Strava use. Additionally, it was assumed that women and younger users would be particularly susceptible to its effects. Furthermore, it was theorized that different sport motivations would shape the impact of Strava use. To address these questions, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a quantitative online survey and qualitative interviews. The online survey collected data from a diverse group of Strava users (N = 114), examining their social comparison tendencies and the resulting psychological effects. In addition, four in-depth interviews were conducted with long-time and new Strava users to gain insights into individual experiences and the nuanced effects of the platform. The results revealed that while Strava can boost motivation and foster a sense of community, it also poses significant risks, particularly for individuals prone to negative social comparisons and low self-compassion, particularly women. Contrary to the assumption that younger users would be more affected, the study found that health motives and social recognition as sport motives played a crucial role in amplifying the negative effects of Strava usage. Findings delineate a mechanistic pathway linking platform‑enabled comparison processes to motivation and mental health in endurance sport. Interventions that foster self‑compassion and recalibrate comparison‑prone motives may help maximize benefits while mitigating harms of social fitness platforms.