The relationship between role and social identities and physical activity participation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Physical activity participation rates are low and stagnant. Understanding the determinants of physical activity therefore remains a priority. One area that has become prominent in such efforts is whether possessing strong physical activity-related role identities and physical activity-related social identities can shape participation. In this review, we aimed to synthesise all research examining the relationship between these two distinct forms of identities and physical activity participation. A search of six databases yielded 3,180 articles, with 49 satisfying our inclusion criteria. Random effects meta-analyses showed a significant positive association (r = .40) between role identity and participation across 35 studies, and a significant positive association (r = .20) between social identity and participation across 15 studies. Moderator analyses revealed the relationship between identity and participation was significantly stronger for adolescents/young adults compared to adults. Although non-significant, it also tended to be stronger in studies that used subjective participation measures, and when assessed cross-sectionally rather than prospectively/longitudinally. Findings suggest that physical activity participation is shaped by the extent to which people internalise physical activity roles and group memberships into their self-concept. Greater efforts to understand how role and social identities can be fostered and the participation-related benefits of such efforts are warranted.