An Investigation of the Factors Hindering Adults’ Participation in Physical Activity

Abstract

This study focuses on the non-participation of adults in physical activity and the reasons that have been preventing them to participate. The study is carried out with 283 participants (116 men and 167 women) who live in Adana, Turkey. Their ages range from 18-66. The average age of the adult participants is 31.81 ±10.12. The demographical features, their conditions to be able to participate in physical activity and the conditions that restrain them from participation have been determined by the 35 question through a questionnaire prepared by the researcher. In analyzing the information the x² test has been used. According to the results of the analysis it is found out that 59.5% of the man and 53.7% of the woman who have participated in the study are involved in physical activities.. In the study it has been observed that participation in physical activity increases in direct proportion to better education and higher income. The marital status has also affected the participation. The participants have brought to the fore the most important reasons for not participating in physical activities as, not finding friends, that the places where physical activity is performed is crowded, not having enough time, not being supported by the family or not having enough information in their answers. As a result, participation in physical activity is made up by factors related to each other and at the same time independent of them.