THE IMPACT OF PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATION ALGORITHMS ON EXERCISE MOTIVATION AND MENTAL HEALTH: A SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract Objective This study investigates how personalized recommendation algorithms on sports consumption platforms influence users’ psychological needs, exercise motivation, and mental health outcomes. Based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), it examines whether algorithm-driven content (e.g., tailored workouts, adaptive goals) can address underlying psychological demands—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—while mitigating emotional barriers such as anxiety, stress, and motivational deficits that often hinder sustained exercise engagement. Subjects and Methods A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative surveys (n = 500 active fitness platform users) and qualitative interviews (n = 30). Psychological measures included the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-6) and the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) to assess intrinsic/extrinsic motivation and emotional states. Algorithm interaction logs tracked personalized content exposure. Structural equation modeling analyzed relationships between algorithmic features, psychological need satisfaction, and mental health indicators over three months. Results Algorithm-driven personalization significantly enhanced intrinsic motivation and mental well-being by fulfilling core psychological needs: autonomy (customizable recommendations reduced anxiety by increasing perceived control), competence (adaptive challenges decreased stress through improved self-efficacy), and relatedness (social features alleviated emotional isolation). Quantitatively, users receiving need-supportive algorithms showed 35% higher exercise adherence and significantly lower self-reported anxiety (p<.01). However, excessive algorithmic control correlated with increased stress and motivational decline. Conclusions Personalized algorithms aligned with SDT principles effectively support psychological needs, reduce emotional barriers, and promote sustained exercise behavior. To enhance mental health outcomes—including reduced anxiety and stress—sports platforms should prioritize user autonomy, adaptive feedback, and socially connected design. Future research should explore clinical implications for populations with diagnosed emotional disorders and ethical aspects of algorithm-driven mental health interventions. Acknowledgment This research was supported by Shanxi Province Science and Technology Strategy Research Special Project (202404030401120).