---
_id: '65443'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: |-
    <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
                      <jats:p>Social media is integral to adolescents’ daily lives and plays an important role in their health- and fitness-related behavior, particularly through trends such as #fitspiration, a portmanteau of “fit” and “inspiration.” This trend has become a prominent aspect of adolescents’ fitness culture. Empirical studies demonstrate that while #fitspiration holds the potential to motivate adolescents to be physically active, it also perpetuates gender-stereotyped, predominantly White, ableist, and normative body ideals associated with fitness and an idealized weight. This trend can be linked to an increased risk of body image concerns or disordered eating among adolescents. Understanding adolescents’ engagement with fitspiration content is crucial for tailoring health and media literacy education within physical education. Therefore, a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted. A search of five electronic databases yielded 312 abstracts, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of the selected studies was based on thematic analysis and included both primary and secondary data. Seven analytical themes emerged: (1) 37–56% of adolescents actively engage with fitspiration content on social media; (2) it fulfills their need for informal and accessible participation; (3) it fosters a sense of social connection; (4) they derive inspiration from peers and influencers; (5) they aspire to idealized body standards; (6) they seek quick solutions when dissatisfied with their bodies; and (7) a few become demotivated and critical when unable to achieve these ideals. Consequently, educators should balance the potential benefits with media literacy interventions to mitigate risks such as body image issues and eating disorders.</jats:p>
author:
- first_name: Elke
  full_name: Grimminger-Seidensticker, Elke
  last_name: Grimminger-Seidensticker
- first_name: Johanna
  full_name: Korte, Johanna
  last_name: Korte
citation:
  ama: 'Grimminger-Seidensticker E, Korte J. Adolescents’ engagement with #fitspiration
    content—a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies and pedagogical
    implications for physical education Der Umgang von Jugendlichen mit Inhalten zu
    #fitspiration - Ein systematisches Review qualitativer und quantitativer Studien
    sowie pädagogische Implikationen für den Sportunterricht. <i>German Journal of
    Exercise and Sport Research</i>. Published online 2026. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7">10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7</a>'
  apa: 'Grimminger-Seidensticker, E., &#38; Korte, J. (2026). Adolescents’ engagement
    with #fitspiration content—a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative
    studies and pedagogical implications for physical education Der Umgang von Jugendlichen
    mit Inhalten zu #fitspiration - Ein systematisches Review qualitativer und quantitativer
    Studien sowie pädagogische Implikationen für den Sportunterricht. <i>German Journal
    of Exercise and Sport Research</i>. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7">https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7</a>'
  bibtex: '@article{Grimminger-Seidensticker_Korte_2026, title={Adolescents’ engagement
    with #fitspiration content—a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative
    studies and pedagogical implications for physical education Der Umgang von Jugendlichen
    mit Inhalten zu #fitspiration - Ein systematisches Review qualitativer und quantitativer
    Studien sowie pädagogische Implikationen für den Sportunterricht}, DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7">10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7</a>},
    journal={German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research}, publisher={Springer Science
    and Business Media LLC}, author={Grimminger-Seidensticker, Elke and Korte, Johanna},
    year={2026} }'
  chicago: 'Grimminger-Seidensticker, Elke, and Johanna Korte. “Adolescents’ Engagement
    with #fitspiration Content—a Systematic Review of Qualitative and Quantitative
    Studies and Pedagogical Implications for Physical Education Der Umgang von Jugendlichen
    Mit Inhalten Zu #fitspiration - Ein Systematisches Review Qualitativer Und Quantitativer
    Studien Sowie Pädagogische Implikationen Für Den Sportunterricht.” <i>German Journal
    of Exercise and Sport Research</i>, 2026. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7">https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7</a>.'
  ieee: 'E. Grimminger-Seidensticker and J. Korte, “Adolescents’ engagement with #fitspiration
    content—a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies and pedagogical
    implications for physical education Der Umgang von Jugendlichen mit Inhalten zu
    #fitspiration - Ein systematisches Review qualitativer und quantitativer Studien
    sowie pädagogische Implikationen für den Sportunterricht,” <i>German Journal of
    Exercise and Sport Research</i>, 2026, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7">10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7</a>.'
  mla: 'Grimminger-Seidensticker, Elke, and Johanna Korte. “Adolescents’ Engagement
    with #fitspiration Content—a Systematic Review of Qualitative and Quantitative
    Studies and Pedagogical Implications for Physical Education Der Umgang von Jugendlichen
    Mit Inhalten Zu #fitspiration - Ein Systematisches Review Qualitativer Und Quantitativer
    Studien Sowie Pädagogische Implikationen Für Den Sportunterricht.” <i>German Journal
    of Exercise and Sport Research</i>, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2026,
    doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7">10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7</a>.'
  short: E. Grimminger-Seidensticker, J. Korte, German Journal of Exercise and Sport
    Research (2026).
date_created: 2026-04-15T08:55:36Z
date_updated: 2026-04-15T08:59:09Z
department:
- _id: '17'
- _id: '174'
- _id: '320'
doi: 10.1007/s12662-026-01107-7
language:
- iso: eng
publication: German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research
publication_identifier:
  issn:
  - 2509-3142
  - 2509-3150
publication_status: published
publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
status: public
title: 'Adolescents’ engagement with #fitspiration content—a systematic review of
  qualitative and quantitative studies and pedagogical implications for physical education
  Der Umgang von Jugendlichen mit Inhalten zu #fitspiration - Ein systematisches Review
  qualitativer und quantitativer Studien sowie pädagogische Implikationen für den
  Sportunterricht'
type: journal_article
user_id: '85816'
year: '2026'
...