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 on Friday that studies showed social media use before an activity could impair performance.

According to Anadolu Agency, Johansen has spent four years examining the connection between social media and performance. He explained that social media use mentally fatigues the brain, leaving individuals feeling exhausted and less motivated. Team Denmark has been monitoring research published in international journals since 2022, including a study that compared athletes who used social media for 30 minutes before completing a yo-yo fitness test with a control group who watched traditional television.

The results showed that athletes who engaged with social media performed 10% worse, corresponding to a decline of nearly 4% in their fitness score. Johansen noted, 'If you compare the deterioration in physical capacity, it is equivalent to smoking 3-4 cigarettes before you can perform.'

Danish Olympic curler Madeleine Dupont reported that her team ceased using social media before training sessions and matches during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. 'We felt that it stole the focus from our performance, and it was actually an easy decision when we first realized how big an impact social media can have,' she said.

Johansen emphasized that the effects were not limited to elite athletes but could also influence recreational exercise and activities requiring mental focus, such as job interviews. While he did not recommend a complete ban, deeming it 'unrealistic' for most people, he advised avoiding social media in the hours before training, competitions, or other activities demanding strong physical or mental performance.