To unpack how social platforms redefine sports engagement and identity for Generation Z

this study integrates three interrelated theories—digital culture

mediated sports

and youth subculture—chosen for their ability to capture the dual (physical-virtual) nature of modern sports and the nuanced power dynamics between tech

youth

and culture.Our analysis reveals that social platforms—through real-time interactions

virtual community building

and digital bodily performances—have constructed a "digital sports sphere": a pervasive

gamified space where sports engagement is no longer just physical activity but a cultural practice that blurs the line between offline and online identities.Youth undergo a shift from "bodily practice" to "identity performance" via short sports videos

virtual badges

and subcultural symbol consumption

forming composite identities that blend real-world and virtual traits. While algorithms fuel niche sports communities

they simultaneously entrench digital inequalities—a 2023 Tsinghua University study shows VR equipment access gaps exceed 40% in rural youth groups. This paradox highlights performative fitness's rise: urban teens chase 'likes' through aesthetic workouts rather than health outcomes

exposing power imbalances in tech-driven narratives. These issues demand deeper theoretical reflection and practical solutions to ensure inclusive

healthy sports cultures for young people.