Abstract
This paper explores the information literacy practices of the ultrarunning community on Instagram, focusing on the role of content creators in supporting information literacy. Ultrarunning is running further than a 26.2 mile marathon and is an information rich sport that draws on embodied, social and recorded information (Gorichanaz, 2015, 2017, 2018, Williams et al., 2024). The research draws upon Lloyd’s (2010, 2012) theories of information literacy as a socially enacted practice. Lloyd (2012) conceptualises information literacy as shaped by and enacted through shared practices of specific communities, rather than as a universal set of skills. The paper presents findings from 19 interviews with ultrarunners and coaches about experiences of Instagram, conducted as part of doctoral research. This paper presents the tactics used by ultrarunning content creators to navigate problematic information on Instagram.
Social media has a problem of social noise (Multas, 2024). Related to this information or behaviour on social media is not always a true reflection of an individual’s viewpoint (Zimmerman, 2022). In the context of health and fitness this creates problems around trust and authenticity. Fitness content on social media helps establish norms about what healthy bodies look like, and the behaviours required to achieve health (Pryde et al., 2024). Dennehy et al. (2024) find that body image issues, misinformation and privacy implications are key risks associated with online fitness information. Studies have found information is often unprofessional and shared by non-expert influencers with focus on personal opinions, unverified experiences, or marketing content (Pilgrim & Bohnet-Joschko, 2019, Jong and Drummond, 2016). However social media can be a space for learning about and gaining knowledge about bodies in affirmative and healthy ways (Camacho-Miñano et al., 2019, Jong & Drummond, 2016, Morais et al., 2021, Rodney, 2021). Lloyd’s (2012) conceptualisation of information literacy can offer a productive lens for understanding how people make sense of health and fitness information on social media.
The findings from interviews with runners and content creators, highlights information overload, echo chambers and low-quality information as key problems. Ultrarunners discussed the noise of social media, with phrases including: ‘noise on social media’ or ‘shut out the noise’. Ultrarunners talked about having to navigate misinformation or overwhelm from sifting through conflicting advice about running. Both information literacy and platform literacy tactics were discussed as vital in navigating these spaces with demonstration of sophisticated awareness of how platforms and organisational powers shape information experiences. A key finding to be discussed in this paper is the role content creators and influencers can play in promoting information literacy. The research finds that whilst content creators are often responsible for creating social media noise, they can play an important role in information literacy. The paper presents strategies employed by content creators to support information literacy practices. For example, countering misinformation, critiquing evidence and teaching individuals how to better read their own bodily cues and signals. The research presents new understandings about the complexity of information literacy on social media as constructed through the shared practices of a specific community.
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