Reasons and Hindrances to Engage in Physical Activities at University settings : A Case Study of Unipoli Sport in Tampere

Abstract

Students and employees are at risk to develop a wide range of diseases when adapting inactive lifestyle dominating by sedentary and screen time. Evidence suggests that physical activity has positive effects on humans and is essential for health enhancement. The purpose of this study is to identify the users of university sport services and to explore what services they use. This study also aims to analyze motives and reasons to engage in university sport services. Moreover, barriers to physical activities among students and university staff are explored. The study applied a mixed method approach utilizing an online survey-type questionnaire (maptionnaire). The study sample consisted of 280 university students and staff (220 females, 55 males, 5 preferred not to answer; with a mean age of 30,67). A modified Exercise Barrier Scale (EBS) was applied to measure perceived barriers among university students and staff. The modified scale has demonstrated a great level of internal consistency Cronbach's Alpha = ,84. The majority of users are females, students, and from the University of Tampere. Users are likely to engage in group activities followed by gym training, and ball games. The most common reasons to undertake activities through university sport services were a good location, low costs, and convenient distance. The most hindering features that prevent participants from engaging in university sport facilities is the problem that facilities are overcrowded and too far away. The modified EBS identified time expenditure to be the greatest barrier. Moreover, a significant difference yield item 'I do not feel comfortable to show my body in front of others' for gender (p=.007) and for status at university (p=.001). The greatest advantage of university sports services continues to be a low-pricing together with a convenience of schedule, location, and distance. Since a majority of users are females and students, it would be adequate to engage more males, staff, and an international students and staff as well as to lower the threshold for entering physical activities. Despite university sport services having limited premises to provide for a large number of users, the range of physical activities is relatively wide though certain opportunities for expansion should be taken into consideration. Moreover, a unique nature of universities has the capacity to create friendly and welcoming environment that prevent from feelings of discomfort and embarrassment leading to greater sports participation. Future studies should collect larger data that equally represent various social groups focusing on social aspects of university sports and physical activity context.