Currently submitted to: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: May 21, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: May 22, 2026 - Jul 17, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Instagram‑Based Exercise Promotion for Sedentary Adults in Malaysia: Acceptability, Pre‑Post Changes, and Predictors of Response
ABSTRACT
Background:
The high prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and non‑communicable diseases in Malaysia calls for scalable physical activity interventions. Hence, in this study, we leverage on the potential benefits of social media for exercise promotion, particularly Instagram.
Objective:
This pilot study examined the acceptability, observed changes, and predictors of improvement associated with an Instagram‑based exercise promotion among sedentary adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
Methods:
A total of 56 sedentary adults (34 females, 22 males) were recruited; 50 completed the 12‑week intervention (mean sedentary behaviour 7.30±2.75 hours/day; retention rate 89.3%). Participants joined a private Instagram page delivering cardiorespiratory‑focused exercise content every two days. Pre‑ and post‑intervention assessments included anthropometry, body composition (InBody 370), 6‑Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire‑8 (CSQ‑8).
Results:
Significant pre‑post changes were observed in body weight (mean change -2.05±2.88 kg, P<.001), BMI (-0.83±1.11 kg/m², P<.001), body fat percentage (-2.23±1.91%, P<.001), and 6MWT distance (67.82±40.81 m, P<.001). The mean total CSQ‑8 score was 27.02±4.91 (out of 32), indicating high satisfaction. Baseline body fat percentage, baseline 6MWT distance, and gender were associated with the degree of functional change (R²=0.71).
Conclusions:
This pilot study suggests that an Instagram‑based intervention is acceptable and may be associated with positive health changes among sedentary adults. These findings support the need for a definitive randomised controlled trial in the future.
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