Abstract
ObjectivesRecreational sports are important leisure activities. However, most studies investigating barrier factors and motivation for participation in recreational sports have been limited to specific areas (e.g., a city or school) or demographic groups (e.g., adolescents). Therefore, this study set out to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the behavioral and socioeconomic factors influencing interest in recreational sports participation in Taiwan, as well as to evaluate the effect of any urban-rural divide.MethodsThis study analyzed data collected by the “Taiwan Social Change Survey” (program five, wave 3) “Leisure Life” questionnaire. We used hierarchical linear modeling to assess respondent interest in recreational sports participation and evaluated the influence of behavioral factors, socioeconomic factors, and residence location (urban/rural).ResultsOf the 2,146 participants in this study, 50.3% were male, and the average age was 43.9 years. Location of residence (urban/rural) accounted for 35.3% of the variation in interest in recreational sports participation, while the remaining 64.7% came from the individual level. Participants who lived in rural settings were less interested in recreational sports than their urban counterparts. Gender, educational attainment, participation frequency, health-motivated interest, and appearance-motivated interest were also associated with interest in recreational sports participation.ConclusionsDifferent communication strategies may be needed to effectively reach different demographic groups. We suggest that future public health campaigns aiming to increase recreational sports participation include tailored interventions and messages to effectively encourage leisure physical activities among all, regardless of demographic boundaries.
Highlights
Recreational sports play an important role in our leisure activities and have significant influences on human physiology and psychology
Educational attainment, participation frequency, health-motivated interest, and appearance-motivated interest were associated with interest in recreational sports participation
Regular and moderate recreational sports reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer [1,2,3], but are reflected in a variety of mortality rates through associations with health indicators such as BMI. [4]
Summary
Recreational sports play an important role in our leisure activities and have significant influences on human physiology and psychology. Exercise has tangible benefits both in promoting health and reducing mortality rates. Regular and moderate recreational sports reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer [1,2,3], but are reflected in a variety of mortality rates through associations with health indicators such as BMI. Research in 2011 by Wen et al indicated that in Taiwan, regardless of gender or cardiovascular disease status, individuals who engage in moderate-intensity exercises such as fast walking for 15 minutes daily, or 92 minutes weekly, benefit from 14% reduced mortality rates and a three-year extension in average lifespan compared with those who do not exercise at all. Recreational sports increase physical and mental health, and reduce psychological pressure, increase self-affirmation, promote positive cognitive and psychological development, and lower risk of depressive symptoms [6]
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