How user generated social media content has positively and negatively impacted health and fitness
This week's blog topic is about how social media allows users to post content that reaches a wide group of people online, and how it has been a double-edged sword. In the health and fitness space specifically, there are extremes on both ends of the spectrum. For my specific sport (powerlifting), as well as closely related subjects (orthopedic injuries and rehabilitation/health, general health and wellness, nutrition), it has allowed evidenced-based practitioners (coaches, athletes, therapists, dietitians, and enthusiasts) to exchange ideas and debate which methods of training, nutrition, and recovery are best and the specific context in which those methods apply/fit. On the other hand, social media has allowed grifters to take advantage of gullible people and conspiracy theorists, which has resulted in people wasting money and becoming ill or injured due to implementing interventions that have no scientific backing and detrimental health effects.
As an example of this, I'd like to provide a short list of exercise tutorials from reputable sources on social media. This shows how proper advice from science-based practitioners and high-level athletes has positively influenced millions of people:
Back Squat: Jeff Nippard: How To Get A Huge Squat With Perfect Technique (Fix Mistakes)
Front Squat: Jeff Nippard: HOW TO FRONT SQUAT: Build Bigger Quads & A Stronger Squat
Deadlift
Conventional: Russel Orhii: (28) How to deadlift like a
world champion powerlifter - YouTube
Sumo: Calgary Barbell: How To Sumo Deadlift: The
Definitive Guide
Bent Over Row/Pendlay Row: Jeff Nippard: How To Build a Thick Back With Perfect Rowing Technique (Pendlay Row/ Helms Row)
Bench Press: John Haack & Andy Huang: Powerlifting 101: How to Bench with John Haack and Andy Huang
Shoulder Press: Jeff Nippard: Build Bigger Shoulders With Perfect Training Technique (The Overhead Press)
Barbell Hip Thrust: Jeff Nippard: How To Build Great Glutes with Perfect Hip Thrust Technique (Fix Mistakes!)
Next, I'd like to provide some examples of advice that is backed by pseudo-science or has no evidence suggesting an actual benefit to consumers.
A full carnivore diet breakdown in one minute!
The above video explains how to do the carnivore diet and says that it's beneficial, but the below article shows just how detrimental it can be to a normal person's health.
Man's hands filled with cholesterol after carnivore diet
Wim Hof's Top 10 reasons to take cold showers & ice baths 🧊
The above video makes many claims that extreme cold exposure is beneficial for exercise recovery and overall health, but the below article shows that cold exposure actually reduces the recovery adaptation from exercise
Fuchs, C. J., Kouw, I. W. K., Churchward-Venne, T. A., Smeets, J. S. J., Senden, J. M., Lichtenbelt, W. D. V. M., Verdijk, L. B., & van Loon, L. J. C. (2020). Postexercise cooling impairs muscle protein synthesis rates in recreational athletes. The Journal of physiology, 598(4), 755–772. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP278996
Overall I'd say it's really important to critically evaluate the claims that social media personalities and influencers make, and understand the potential ramifications of any practices they suggest. PubMed is a very good resource to scientifically evaluate claims that influencers make. Unfortunately, sometimes these articles are very complicated to read and may be difficult for the average person to understand. When this is the case, I recommend sticking to sources that frequently reference science and have logical explanations or have even performed research in the field themselves, such as Jeff Nippard or Eric Helms.
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