Abstract
PurposeThe purpose was to explore the exercise behavior of the Taiwanese population during leisure time and to examine the gender differences in related influential factors.MethodsThe Leisure Time and Sport Questionnaire (LTSQ) conducted by the Academia Sinica in 2007 was used for analysis. Participants were drawn from the Taiwanese population aged over 18 years old. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to test the association between the frequency of exercise and related factors in all the participants, male, and female participants, respectively.ResultsIn the total 2,147 participants, 47.8% reported they regularly exercised, 34.1% irregularly exercised, and 18.1% never exercised. There were no significant gender differences in the frequency of exercise, but a significant gender difference was found in the types of exercise most often practiced. Participants in one of following conditions, over 65 and under 40 years old, living in the city, having higher education levels, having a spouse or partner, enjoying exercise, feeling worthwhile to spend money on exercise, and not having to take care of others, were more likely to be engaged in regular exercise in the total population. The “enjoyment” in exercise was a significant influential factor for both sexes. Women were more likely to exercise regularly if they were aged 40–64 years old compared with those over 65 years old, have lower self-rated health scores, felt it was more worthwhile to spend money on exercise and did not have to care for another, whereas men who have higher education level and did not feel a lack of time were more likely to exercise regularly.ConclusionsThere are gender differences in regular exercise behavior during leisure time and related influential factors among Taiwanese adults. The findings of the present study can be used when designing gender-specific health promotion programs.
Highlights
The benefits of being physically active have been well documented for all age groups including controlling body weight, promoting musculoskeletal functions, enhancing cardiovascular fitness, reducing the risks of coronary heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and falls [1,2,3]
There were no significant gender differences in the frequency of exercise, but a significant gender difference was found in the types of exercise most often practiced
Participants in one of following conditions, over 65 and under 40 years old, living in the city, having higher education levels, having a spouse or partner, enjoying exercise, feeling worthwhile to spend money on exercise, and not having to take care of others, were more likely to be engaged in regular exercise in the total population
Summary
The benefits of being physically active have been well documented for all age groups including controlling body weight, promoting musculoskeletal functions, enhancing cardiovascular fitness, reducing the risks of coronary heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and falls [1,2,3]. In an international prevalence study, 42.3% of the Taiwanese population was in the low activity category defined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), which means that people engage in physical activities less than three days a week and in a mild intensity [7]. Another study by Wen et al (2007) compared the intensity of leisure time physical activity between Taiwan and United States. The authors found that the prevalence of leisure time physical activity is lower in the Taiwanese population generally. They found that the prevalence decreased with age in the U.S, but peaked with the elders (65 years of age or older) in Taiwan [8]. The most serious deficiency was found among the young adults (25–44 years of age)
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