Status : Verified
| Personal Name | Dabalos, Jedn Josh T. |
|---|---|
| Resource Title | IF IT’S NOT ON STRAVA, DID IT EVEN HAPPEN?: A RUNNING COMMENTARY ON THE BLENDING OF ONLINE AND OFFLINE WORLDS, COMMUNITY BUILDING THROUGH DIGITAL PLATFORMS, AND NAVIGATING AUTHENTICITY IN FITNESS SPACES |
| Date Issued | 6 June 2025 |
| Abstract | This study investigates how the users of the digital platform Strava shapesFilipino runners’ engagement within hybrid fitness communities, blending online and offline experiences. Motivated by existing literature on digital hybridity, community building, and authenticity, the research addresses gaps concerning how digital platformsinfluence fitness culture in the Philippine context. The objective is to understand how the users balance physical activities and online interactions to foster motivation, accountability, and social connection. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven Filipino Strava users involved in formal and informal running groups. Thematic analysis was applied to identify patterns related to community dynamics, identity negotiation, and performativity in fitness spaces. Findings demonstrate that Strava facilitates hybrid spaces where physical runs are digitally shared and socially reinforced, allowing users to construct authentic yet curated selves. Participants experienced increased motivation and a sense of belonging, mediated by platform affordances and cultural factors. However, users also navigated privacy and social comparison challenges. This study contributes to understanding technology’s role in mediating contemporary fitness communities and highlights the evolving nature of social connections in digital-physical hybrid environments within Philippine society. |
| Degree Course | BA Broadcast Media Arts and Studies |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | Impression Management; Strava; Hybridity; Hybrid Spaces; Fitness Communities; Performativity; Authenticity; Digital Platforms; Community Building; Online and Offline Interactions |
| Material Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Preliminary Pages
3.04 Mb
Category : F - Regular work, i.e., it has no patentable invention or creation, the author does not wish for personal publication, there is no confidential information.
Access Permission : Open Access