Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy

Social media use fosters physical activity in older adults by building social capital, mainly structural, bonding, and bridging types, and boosting self-efficacy. Enhancing the social media environment, developing social capital, and supporting self-efficacy are vital strategies for promoting physical activity in this group. The cross-sectional design of this study is a limitation, and future longitudinal research is needed to understand the causal relationships better.