Recreational Fitness Research Articles

Application of entertainment and fitness robots based on game interaction in sports training data analysis

This study aims to explore the application of sports data analysis of recreational fitness robots in sports training. By introducing interactive elements of games, recreational fitness robots can provide more interesting and challenging fitness experience, thus attracting more people to participate in sports training. Research and design and develop a game interactive entertainment fitness robot, with action recognition and user interaction functions, can perceive the user’s actions and make corresponding responses. When the user interacts with the robot, the sensor continuously collects and records data, establishes a data acquisition and storage system, analyzes and processes the collected interactive data, identifies the user’s movement pattern, assesses the user’s physical fitness level, and identifies potential improvement points. According to the user’s physical condition and training objectives, the appropriate exercise plan and game interaction mode are designed to provide better training results and entertainment experience. It is found that the game-based interactive entertainment fitness robot can effectively improve the user’s exercise motivation and participation in sports training. Through the analysis of sports data, we can develop personalized training plans according to the specific needs and goals of users, so as to achieve better training results.

The use of modern fitness technologies in the physical education of students

The article examines the variety and expediency of fitness classes with students of various specialties, shows the impact of such classes on the state of health of students, as well as the peculiarities of conducting fitness classes. One of the problems of physical education in universities is insufficient interest of young people in physical education. There is a problem between the need to form a physically healthy specialist during training and the lack of motivation of students engaged in physical education and sports, the need to change the format of conducting physical education classes using new approaches and new technologies.
 The use of fitness technologies in the physical education of students will have a positive effect on their motivational sphere, which in turn will affect the improvement of indicators of physical and mental condition, academic performance and the formation of a healthy lifestyle of students. culture in the university, in the formation of a healthy lifestyle of students.
 The article examines the state of the issue in scientific and methodical literature, summarizes the experience of using fitness technologies in the educational process. The effectiveness of fitness technology programs in physical culture for students of various specialties at the university is shown.
 The introduction of elements of fitness technologies into educational classes increases students' interest in physical culture, stimulates their independent work. Planning classes with elements of fitness for young men can be based on sports and recreational fitness technologies (athletic gymnastics, crossfit, mixed programs, fitness yoga, specialized programs of athletic gymnastics, circular fitness training, adapted mixed programs). For girls of the main group, fitness yoga, athletic gymnastics, step aerobics, mixed programs can be chosen; for girls of the adaptive group – fitness yoga, billiards, pilates, athletic gymnastics.

Popular Gym Fitness Sport: An Analysis of 1387 Recreational Athletes Regarding Prone to Pain Exercises and the Corresponding Localisations.

Recreational fitness sports are popular worldwide and rank first among organised sports. This study aims to bridge a knowledge gap by examining which exercises are most prone to causing pain symptoms, as a possible precursor for injury, and analysing the body regions that are most frequently affected. Using an online questionnaire, 20 demographic and training-specific items and 49 sport-specific exercises were recorded. Frequent exercises as well as the incidence and distribution of pain symptoms that the athletes experienced during or in relation to their training were evaluated. The study assessed common exercises and documented the frequency and distribution of pain symptoms experienced by athletes during or in relation to their training. A total of 1387 respondents were included in this study. Of these, 732 (53.1%) experienced pain during their fitness training, with 333 (24.2%) being female and 397 (22.3%) being male. The method of creating a training plan showed a significant influence (p < 0.001): athletes who devised their own plans reported pain or instability more frequently than those in the comparison groups. Guided exercises on machines resulted in the lowest frequency of pain (11.54%), while exercises with free weights were associated with the highest pain rate among respondents (19.94%). Specifically, exercises such as the back squat, deadlift, bench press, and triceps dips were identified as the exercises most commonly associated with pain. The most frequently reported pain region was the shoulder, followed by the lower back and knees. The findings reveal a significant number of unreported pain symptoms. The disparity between rigorous training volumes and the absence of professional care frequently leads to injuries and pain. It is incumbent upon sports medicine to investigate the root causes of these complaints (pain or instability) to implement preventive measures against potential injuries.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS IN PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF MARITAL STATE IN UKRAINE

The article is devoted to the study of the introduction of blended learning of students of higher education institutions (HEIs) into the educational process. The problems of using information and communication technologies as a means of organizing and implementing the educational process in the conditions of military operations were analyzed, and the experience of introducing mixed learning technologies into the educational process of higher education institutions was investigated. Both positive and negative experiences of the organization of mixed education are revealed, and the attitude of students and teachers to the implemented organization of mixed and classroom education in higher education institutions of Ukraine is revealed. It has been proven that the most important task of domestic institutions of higher education in the conditions of war is to ensure access to the educational process for all its participants ‒ both students and teachers in the form of distance learning or, if possible, mixed learning using the Internet, learning management systems, adaptive learning systems, mass open online courses, etc. Blended learning is a fairly common form of student learning. Students of higher education among traditional, mixed and distance forms of education prefer mixed education, while noting its positive aspects: accessibility, productivity, independence, taking into account individual capabilities and others. Mixed training in physical education is a flexible and diverse form of conducting classes that allows you to use the advantages of traditional face-to-face and distance learning and, on the contrary, avoid or minimize their disadvantages. The use of recreational fitness in physical education classes will increase the effectiveness of the educational process. Blended learning can encompass a wide range of approaches to teaching. ICT technologies expand the possibilities of effective learning. A high-quality combination of classroom and remote forms of education creates conditions for expanding access to education, flexibility of teaching, improvement of pedagogical methods, technologies and methods. In addition, “blended learning can include synchronous and asynchronous online learning and a wide selection of modern technologies and various Internet learning tools”.&#x0D; Keywords: Students; blended learning; technologies of blended learning; distance learning; classroom learning; specialty “Physical culture and sport”; physical education.

Influence of Strength Fitness Classes on the Development of Motor Abilities of High School Students

The purpose of study is to determine the effectiveness of the influence of strength fitness on the development of motor abilities of high school students.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of secondary school No. 55 Kharkiv in several stages. During the study, two groups were created: experimental and control. The control and experimental groups included 10 boys of 10 grade each. In the control group, lessons were held on the module “Gymnastics” according to the thematic plan. And in the experimental group the lessons content included: strength fitness, stretching exercises and aerobic combinations. Special attention was paid to the preparation of muscles for performing the exercises of the main part of the lesson - strength training. Research methods: study, synthesis and comparative analysis of literature and other sources on the research issue; observation; questionnaires, diagnosis of well-being, activity, mood according to the WAM method, testing of motor readiness, methods of mathematical statistics.&#x0D; Results. According to the study results, in the experimental group was found a probable improvement in the state of activity by 11.3 points (p&lt;0.01) and mood by 12.7 points (p&lt;0.01). This indicates the positive impact of strength fitness exercises, modern music accompaniment and the corresponding load on these indicators. In the control group under the program of the variable module “Gymnastics” we observed an improvement in strength abilities such as flexion and extension of the arms in the abutment position by 3.8 (p&lt;0.05). Indicators of motor abilities of students in the experimental group at the end of the trial had probable shifts towards improvement: shuttle run 4×9 m by 0.9 sec. (p&lt;0.01), flexion and extension of the arms in the abutment position by 3.9 times (p&lt;0.05), flexion and extension of the arms in suspension by 1.5 times (p&lt;0.05), bent suspension by 7.4 sec. (p&lt;0.001), jump in length from the place by 7.4 cm (p&lt;0.05), flexibility (torso inclination) by 3.1 cm (p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions. The use of recreational fitness in physical education classes in high school students not only contributes to an increase in the level of motor abilities, but also improves the emotional state of students. Through a combination of physical education, aerobic exercise, stretching, strength fitness, breathing exercises, visualization, high school students noted an improvement in well-being, mood, and activity.

Study Devoted to The Values of a Number of Anthropometric and Morpho-Functional Indices in Young Women

The article presents the results of a study devoted to the values of a number of anthropometric and morpho-functional indices in young women of adolescent and first adulthood who are regularly engaged in health-improving fitness. It was found that dolichomorphic type prevails among the values of morphic index in female students who do recreational fitness - in 32 (66,67%) girls, while in the group of young women of first adulthood brachymorphs dominate - 16 (41,03%). Negatively altered types of trochanteric index values dominate in the group of young women of the first mature age - in 37 (94,87%), and 45 (93,75%) female students have different variants of individual evolution disorders, not corresponding to their biological sex.

Study of a Number of Anthropometric Values, Morphological Indicators and Motivation in Young Women Engaged in Health Fitness

The article presents the results of a study devoted to the values of a number of anthropometric and morpho-functional indices in young women of adolescent and first adulthood who are regularly engaged in health-improving fitness. It was found that dolichomorphic type prevails among the values of morphic index in female students who do recreational fitness - in 32 (66,67%) girls, while in the group of young women of first adulthood brachymorphs dominate - 16 (41,03%). Negatively altered types of trochanteric index values dominate in the group of young women of the first mature age - in 37 (94,87%), and 45 (93,75%) female students have different variants of individual evolution disorders, not corresponding to their biological sex.

Characteristics of Fitness-Related Injuries in The Netherlands: A Descriptive Epidemiological Study.

Although general information is available, specifically detailed information on gym-based fitness-related injuries in the general recreational fitness population is lacking. The aim of our study was to obtain more insight into injuries occurring as a result of gym-based fitness activities. A descriptive online epidemiological study was conducted in November 2020. The survey was distributed by a market research agency to members of their research panel. A total of 494 Dutch fitness participants aged ≥ 18 years (mean 38.9; 59% male) who had sustained a fitness-related injury in the preceding 12 months were included in the study. Most injuries occurred during strength training, individual cardio exercise, yoga/Pilates, cardio exercise in group lessons, and CrossFit. The shoulder, leg, and knee were the most common injured body parts; 73.1% of the injuries occurred during unsupervised gym-based fitness activities, and 46.2% of the injuries occurred during one specific exercise or when using a specific fitness device: running (e.g., on the treadmill) (22.8%); bench press (11.8%); or squats (9.6%). Overuse or overload (n = 119), missteps and sprains (n = 48), or an incorrect posture or movement (n = 43) were most often mentioned as causes of injury. Conclusions: Most self-reported gym-based fitness-related injuries occur during strength training and individual cardio exercise. Special attention should be given to the shoulder during strength training and to the lower extremities during cardio exercise. Injury prevention interventions should be able to be carried out without supervision.

СТАВЛЕННЯ ЗДОБУВАЧІВ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ ДО ЗАНЯТЬ ОЗДОРОВЧИМ ФІТНЕСОМ

The results of a survey of higher education students regarding indicators of attitude to health fitness classes are given. The purpose of the study was to determine attitude of higher education students towards health fitness classes. Research methodology. 145 students of the 1st-3rd year of higher education at the Faculty of Physical Culture of Kamianets-Podilskyi National Ivan Ohiienko University participated in the study (35 – 1st-year students, 42 – 2nd-year students, and 68 – 3rd-year students). The students were asked questions that made it possible to determine a number of interesting and ambiguous facts. The research was conducted on the basis of the questionnaire compiled by the group of scientific and pedagogical workers of faculty of physical culture Kamianets-Podilskyi National Ivan Ohiienko University,, which provide teaching of educational components “health fitness”, “modern fitness technologies”, “aerobics with teaching method”, “physical culture”. The questionnaire was prepared on questions that allowed to determine the attitude of higher education students to the fitness classes. The results. As a result, it was found that higher education students have a positive attitude to health fitness classes, the main motives are increasing the level of physical fitness, improving health, and correcting the figure. Students have a low level of theoretical training, but most of them understand this and would like to improve their knowledge. Laziness, passivity and lack of company are the main reasons that prevent students from engaging in health fitness outside of university hours. Conclusions. The most popular types of fitness programs among higher education students are: step aerobics, crossfit, classical aerobics, and stretching; the main disadvantages of classes are a small number of classes per week, an insufficient amount of hours to study a particular fitness program, non-availability for self-practice. The main motives that encourage students to take recreational fitness classes are increasing the level of physical fitness, improving health, getting positive emotions, and body shaping. A low level of theoretical knowledge regarding recreational fitness topics was noted among students, which is confirmed by the subjective assessment of the respondents themselves. At the same time, the vast majority of students are willing to improve their theoretical knowledge by studying specialized literature and attending additional lectures.

Effect of recreational exercise and fitness on left ventricular torsion and wall mechanics study (FIT-TWIST/Health)

Abstract Background Left ventricular (LV) remodeling is associated with elite athletics. This study aimed to assess the effects of recreational exercise on LV remodeling and mechanics in healthy adults. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study evaluated 38 healthy adult recreational exercise participants with a Bruce protocol treadmill exercise stress test, and 2D and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Fitness level was stratified by the achieved age- and sex-predicted metabolic equivalents (METS) as average/good (group A, N=20; METS=13.9) and high (group B, N=18; METS=18.2) groups. Results Mean age was 33 years, and 58% were female. Participants in Group B used more multi-modality (67 vs 20%; p=0.008) or running (50% vs 15%; p=0.04) exercise regimens, and had larger LV mass (66 vs 56 g/m2; p=0.05) and left atrial volume indices (28 vs 22 ml/m2; p=0.02), when compared with group A. However, all LV strain and torsion mechanics were similar between groups (Figure). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed independent associations between global longitudinal strain (GLS) and transmitral E-wave (β=−0.57), maximum systolic blood pressure (β=0.32), and LV end-diastolic volume index (β=0.32) (model r=0.72; p&amp;lt;0.001). No correlation between METS achieved and LV parameters was observed. Conclusion Recreational exercise and fitness are associated with healthy LV geometry and mechanics in adults. Early diastolic LV filling, LV chamber size, and peak exercise blood pressure are correlated with GLS. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Florida Heart Research Foundation

Long Term Concurrent Heat Stress does not Improve upon Performance Gains by Resistance Training

Natural performance enhancement, muscle hypertrophy and muscle rehabilitation on an expedited timeframe is highly coveted in sports and recreational fitness industries. Some studies have indicated that heat stress can improve upon muscle hypertrophy when used in combination with resistance training (RT), while some have shown no changes. Improvements in performance aspects such as strength, speed and agility in response to long term RT are well established, however the additive effects of heat stress on performance enhancements by RT has only been sparsely investigated. We therefore investigated the effects of full body heat stress applied concurrently during high intensity RT on muscle mass, strength, speed, agility and force in males. A cohort (n=18) of recreationally active, anthropometrically matched males were assigned in to two groups, HEAT (n=8, age= 23.3 ±.3.1, body mass (BM) = 75.6 ± 14.5kg, height = 175.6 ± 8.8 cm) and CON (n=10, age= 21.0 ± 2.7, BM = 76.0 ± 11.3kg, height = 177.2 ± 9.6 cm). Each group undertook an identical, 10 week, full body RT program three days a week with a rest day in between. The control group trained in thermoneutral conditions (23°C, RH 25%), while the HEAT group trained in a climate chamber at 40°C, RH 30%. Strength (1RM leg and bench press via maximal repetition test), speed (5 and 10 m sprint time), agility (T-test), force (peak force during squat jump and ballistic push up) as well as body composition (DXA scan) were assessed at pre intervention, at week five and post intervention. Core temperature, HEAT (average peak temperature =38.18 ± 0.27 °C) and CON (37.97 ± 0.32 °C), as well as muscle temperature (at a depth of 3.5 cm in the vastus lateralis), HEAT (36.79 ± 1.55 °C) and CON (35.94 ± 1.51 °C) were also measured. Leg press 1 RM increased from pre intervention to post in both CON (50.25 ± 13.99 kg, p<0.05) and HEAT (32.75 ± 5.89 kg, p<0.05) while bench press 1RM showed no improvement. However, the relative strength (1RM divided by total muscle mass) improved only in bench press in both groups from pre intervention to post with CON (0.12 ± 0.009 kg.kg MM-1, p<0.05) and HEAT (0.06 ± 0.008 kg.kg MM-1) with relative leg press strength showing no improvement. Agility improved in the HEAT group at five weeks (0.3 s ± 0.16 s, p<0.05), however it was not different from pre intervention at post intervention. Agility did not improve in the CON group. No improvements were observed in 5m or 10m sprint time, or peak force generated in squat jump or ballistic push up in either group. Total upper body muscle mass increased in each group at post intervention, CON (1507.0 g ± 293.1 g, p<0.05), HEAT (806.6 g ± 213.9 g p<0.05) along with total muscle mass, CON (1760.8 g ± 306.4 g p<0.05) and HEAT (971.0 g ± 335.1 g p<0.05). Lower body muscle mass did not increase in either group. Total fat mass did not alter in either group pre to post intervention. These results indicate that, overall, heat stress applied concurrently with long term RT does not improve upon performance gains.

Planinarski turizam - motivi i ponašanja - studija slučaja

Hiking is a physical activity aiming at recreation, training, and physical fitness. As a rule, people are engaged in this activity during vacations. However, very often, hiking is the main motive for travelling. This very fact allows us to refer to hiking as a distinct type of tourism, being the very reason to make a trip. In Greece, both Greeks and foreigners engage in this activity, following one of the two European long-distance footpaths (E4 and E6). This research aims at investigating motives, attitudes and behaviours of Greek hikers, members of the "Friends of Mountain and Sea Club", who undertake hiking tours in Greece and abroad. The research indicates that the main motive the hikers have, are contact with nature, wish to explore new places, and getting to know the civilization of different regions. On the way to their destination, hikers, in addition to hiking, also visit places and monuments of cultural interest. This form of tourism is environment friendly, as the majority of hikers respect and protect the natural and cultural environment.

Key Considerations in the Development of a University High Performance Training Centre Business Framework

Universities and colleges are under increased pressure to be self- sustainable and to rely less on government funding and generate more third-stream revenues. In sport, university High Performance Training Centres (HPTCs) are seen as key strategic assets to the university, but generally do not receive continuous direct funding from the universities and need to be self- sustainable in its own right. These centres support university sport in general but are also commercial entities that serve all target markets, including professional and recreational sport and fitness. The onus is on these HPTCs to be sustainable and even profitable, following normal business practices like sales and marketing and client service, with retained earnings being used for capital improvements and additions, as well as general operational expenses of the centres. Recently, university HPTCs across South and Southern Africa (and internationally) are on the increase, but there seems to be a lack in the consistency of business framework principles implemented by the different universities and colleges. The aim of this research is to develop and propose a standardised business framework specific to university HPTCs, which can be implemented to enhance the overall likelihood of sustainability and even profitability of the HPTCs, and also ensure that these HPTCs are less reliant on continuous university funding. The framework will align with specific micro, macro and meso level policy factors that have to be considered in the development of a university-specific business framework. The study proposes several Key Success Factors (KSF) to be considered in the development of the business framework. To reach the aim, various business practices and frameworks from university HPTCs were compared to non-university HPTCs, consisting of commercial and government- supported centres. In conclusion, a generic business framework is proposed, specific to the university and college sport environments.

Influence of fitness techniques integration on the development of physical qualities and morpho-functional state of adult females

PurposeThe article focuses on the influence of recreational fitness exercises on the level of adult females’ physical qualities and morpho-functional state development.MethodsOverall, 32 women aged 30–45 years took part in the research, based on the authors’ program combining various types of fitness exercise. One-hour workouts were conducted 2 times per week at Khmelnytskyi Humanitarian-Pedagogical Academy for 9 months. The morpho-functional state of the participants was determined by measuring their height, weight, lung capacity, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, body parts circumferences, and skin folds. The level of physical qualities development was assessed with the following tests: sitting forward bend, running in place for 10 seconds, rope skipping for 30 seconds, bench push-ups for 30 seconds, sit-ups for 30 seconds, plank exercise, maintaining balance while standing on one legResultsA confirmed improvement of the morpho-functional state indicators and physical qualities development of the participants of the pedagogical experiment (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05) was established. The most significant effect referred to body mass decrease, enhancement of cardiorespiratory system functional capabilities, as well as improvement of power and coordination abilitiesConclusions. The implemented authors’ program, combining different types of fitness exercise, made the workouts flexible and varied, allowed to find an individual approach to each woman, and thus contributed to an increase of their physical condition by improving the morpho-functional state of the body and the level of physical health.

Ferritin readings in young adult, female university student recreational runners

BackgroundElite female athletes have shown vulnerability to various degrees of iron deficiency. Less is known about recreational fitness exercisers. A study was done to examine plasma ferritin, an assessor of iron status, in young adult, university student fitness runners. MethodsThe present study examined serum ferritin concentrations, an indicator of iron status, in 39 female university students (age 18–25) who ran for fitness, but ran less than competition runners. Selected subjects all reported themselves as not anemic. ResultsMean + SD for 3 mile run time was 26.25 + 3.0 min. The mean ferritin reading was low: 12.4 + 12.3 ng/mL (+ SD). Out of the 39 women, 29 had readings that fell below 15 ng/mL, which some consider the cutoff for iron deficiency. In addition, all but 2 subjects had values below 35, which has been proposed as Stage 1 iron deficiency for athletes. Ferritin levels did not correlate with 3 mile run times (Pearson correlation coefficient, P > 0.05). A 1 mo intervention with 3 minerals that included iron (36 mg/day) significantly raised ferritin values when the iron was bisglycinate (p < 0.05), but not when it was ferrous sulfate (p > 0.05). ConclusionIn this study, a degree of iron deficiency was seen in most of a group of female fitness runners (each of whom had self reported as not being anemic).

Relationship Between Health Perception and Life Satisfaction in Individuals Who are Member of Recreative Fitness Center

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the health perception and life satisfaction levels of the individuals doing recreational sports according to various demographic variables and to determine the relationship. This study was conducted on the basis of survey model; Individuals attending recreational fitness centers in Konya participated on a voluntary basis. “Health Perception Scale” which was developed by Diamond et al. (2007) and adapted to Turkish by Kadioglu and Yildiz; and “Life Satisfaction Scale” which was developed by Diener et al. and adapted to Turkish by Koker (1991) were used. SPSS 20 package program was used to analyze the data. In the evaluation of the data, complementary statistical methods like standard deviation (sd) frequency (f) percentage (%) average (M) and since normal distribution conditions were not met Kruskal Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney U test, which are non-parametric tests, were used. Spearman Correlation coefficient test was used to reveal the relationship between them. Results were evaluated at 0.05 significance level. As a result of the study, when the health perception scale and life satisfaction scale were compared according to the variables of gender, age and educational status, statistically significant differences were found and it was found that the relationship between life satisfaction and health perception scale had low positive correlation levels with each other. In this context, health perception and life satisfaction can be evaluated as factors affecting each other.

Genesis and content of fitness: theoretical and methodological analysis

Problem Statement. Becoming widespread and extremely popular with people throughout the world fitness has not left Ukraine, where there is a keen interest to this kind of recreational activities, aside. The Purpose was to study the origin of recreational fitness. Results: The article highlights the origins and genesis of health-related fitness in its international context, as well as in individual countries of the world. Particular attention has been paid to the development of recreational fitness in Ukraine and to the establishment of the Ukrainian market of fitness services, which originated in the late 90s. A rapid booming of fitness industry has been observed in Ukraine since 2005. The authors also deal with contemporary development of fitness services. At the same time the issue of terminological application has been tackled. Various publications put different interpretations fitness terminological system in general and of the term “fitness” as well. Although fitness as a health-improving system has been gradually evolving, the commonly accepted meaning of the term has not been elaborated up till now. Various definitions of the term should be considered as complementary. Conclusions. Fitness has a long history and different versions of origin and evolution. Two of them are considered to be of significance, i.e. the western and the eastern versions. For ideological reasons, fitness in the Soviet Union(Ukraine being part of it until1991)was practically ignored. Nevertheless, the mid-80s of the last century witnessed the breakthrough of fitness into the USSR. Establishment of the market of fitness services in the independent Ukraine started in the late 90s. Fitness industry in Ukraine ispermanently growing.

Perception of Service Quality among Malaysian University Recreational Fitness Center Users

The purpose of this study was to examine user’s perceptions of service quality and future intention to use campus recreation fitness center in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Data were collected from 200 students and staff of the university (males = 140, females = 60) who frequently used the campus recreation fitness center. The questionnaire consisted of items based on the Likert-scale Service Quality Assessment Scale (SQAS) developed by Lam, Zhang and Jensen (2005). Behavioral intention is based on three questions modified from Cunningham and Kwon (2003). The results showed that recreation fitness center users are satisfied with the overall staff service quality (m=34.14) and fitness facility service quality (m=34.14), but moderately satisfied with overall facility service quality (m=30.77) and overall program service quality (m=24.44). The findings indicated UPM recreation fitness center users have a high intention (m=4.02) to recommend the recreation center to other people and to renew their membership. The result also shows overall staff service quality (ß = .288 p < .05) and overall facility service quality (ß = .251, p <. 05) contribute significantly towards predicting behavioral intention. This means recreation fitness center users in UPM will continue their membership in the future or suggest other people to become members if they perceived the recreation fitness center as being conveniently located as well as user friendly in terms of safety and parking.

Relationship between Perceptions of Fitness Facility Service Quality and Future Intentions of Fitness Center Users in Thailand

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between perceptions of fitness facility service quality and future intention to use campus fitness center at Mahasarakham university, Thailand. A total of 250 campus recreation fitness center users (males = 189, females = 61) comprising of students and staff from Mahasarakham University was selected to participate as subjects in the study. The questionnaire consisted of items based on the Likert-scale Service Quality Assessment Scale (SQAS) developed by Lam, Zhang and Jensen (2005). Future intention was measured using two items by Zeithaml et al. (1996): word-of-mouth communications and repurchase intentions. The results showed fitness facility service quality (s = .300, p

Chasing Rx: A Spatial Ethnography of the CrossFit Gym

CrossFit is a group fitness program that incorporates a variety of weightlifting and gymnastic movements performed at high intensities. While scholars have examined CrossFit’s physiological and behavioral outcomes, few studies have examined the program’s psychological and sociological characteristics. Drawing from Henning Eichberg’s work on spatial geography, this 5-month ethnographic study examined the space and place of two CrossFit gyms as an introduction to a broader discussion on CrossFit subculture and evolving discourses about the body, health, and fitness. Specifically, the gyms’ location, layout, and open arrangement of moving bodies revealed three major themes about CrossFit space: a place that blurs the line between exercise and menial labor in an otherwise sedentary and technologized society; a place that is inclusive specifically in terms of gender, age, and ability, yet exclusive socioeconomically; and a faux-elite sporting place that inadvertently produces wild and untamed bodily movements. Results of the study suggest that CrossFit’s popularity in recent years portends a dramatic shift in the social function of recreational fitness toward forms of exercise that are more inclusive, and yet at the same time are more socially competitive and hierarchical.