The relationship between media use and sports participation behavior: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe use of media profoundly affects people's sports participation behavior. Past research has presented mixed results on the relationship between media use and sports participation behaviors. Therefore, the relationship between media use and sports participation behavior should be revisited. MethodsA meta-analysis of 17 independent studies from 12 literature was conducted to determine whether (a) media use positively influences sports participation behaviors, and (b) form of media, media measurement methods, study subjects, and culture moderated these relationships. Pearson's correlation was used to conduct a random-effects meta-analysis and examine the moderating effects. ResultsThe results showed a positive correlation between media use and sports participation behaviors (r = 0.193, 95% CI = [0.047,0.329]). Traditional media showed stronger correlations and moderating effects than new media; however, the time variable (in media measurement methods) and primary and secondary school students (in study subjects) showed negative correlations between media use and sports participation behavior. The positive and moderating effects on this relationship were higher in Eastern cultures than in Western cultures. These results suggest that media use and sports participation behavior were positively correlated, moderated by the form of media, media measurement methods, study subjects, and culture within studies. ConclusionsFrom the effect test results, a significant positive relationship was found between media use and sports participation behavior (both physical participation behavior and consumption behavior). The two were influenced by several moderating variables including the form of media, media measurement methods, study subjects, and culture, and the influence of media measurement methods was the greatest.