Background and Objectives
To date, the differentiated effects of relative positions in rankings on health behavior remain unclear. The studies published in issue 4/2025 fill this gap and examine the effects of relative positions in leaderboards on smartphone apps on users' physical activity. A curvilinear U-shaped effect is hypothesized and tested.
Findings and Implications
In Study 1 (n = 1,585), 16 relative positions were manipulated, and a generalized additive model was tested to reveal curvilinear effects on physical activity intentions. The authors found that intentions were higher at the top (ranks 1, 2, 3, and 4) and bottom (85, 86, 87, and 88; 88 being the last rank) than at the top to upper-middle (10, 19, 25, and 41) and bottom to lower-middle (47, 63, 69, and 79) positions of the leaderboard. In Study 2 (n = 126), the authors used a behavioral experimental design to examine changes in actual physical activity after individuals were informed of their relative position in the leaderboard. Changes in handgrip strength were used as the outcome. Here, too, U-shaped effects are revealed: physical activity increases among those ranked highest (ranks 1 and 2) and lowest (87 and 88; 88 is last), while a marginally significant decrease is observed among those ranked 25 and 69. The results show that both the top and bottom positions (vs. upper or lower middle) in the rankings can motivate individuals to be more active.
Contact
Chair of Sport and Health Management
Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer
Uptown München Campus D
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Phone +49.89.289.24559
Fax +49.89.289.24642
info.mgt@mh.tum.de