Copenhagen: Using social media shortly before exercise can cause mental fatigue and significantly reduce physical performance, a Danish sports physiologist has warned. Lars Johansen, a sports physiologist at Team Denmark, a government body, told public broadcaster DR that studies showed social media use before an activity could impair performance.

According to Philippines News Agency, social media use mentally fatigues the brain, leaving people feeling exhausted and less motivated. Team Denmark has monitored research published in international journals since 2022. One study compared athletes who used social media for 30 minutes before completing a yo-yo fitness test with a control group who watched traditional television. Athletes who used social media performed 10 percent worse, corresponding to a nearly 4 percent decline in their fitness score.

Johansen highlighted that the deterioration in physical capacity is equivalent to smoking 3-4 cigarettes before performing. Danish Olympic curler Madeleine Dupont mentioned that her team stopped using social media before training sessions and matches during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, realizing its significant impact on their focus and performance.

Johansen noted that these effects are not limited to elite athletes but could also influence recreational exercise and activities requiring mental focus, including job interviews. While he did not recommend a complete ban on social media use, which he called 'unrealistic' for most people, he advised avoiding it in the hours before training, competitions, or other activities requiring strong physical or mental performance.