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Fitness facilities for adults: differences in perceived access and usage
Judy Kruger1, Susan A Carlson, Harold W Kohl
1Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Ezk0@cdc.gov
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|May 30, 2007
Summary
Most US adults perceive access to fitness facilities, with cost being the main barrier. Access to these facilities is linked to higher physical activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Behavior
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Perceived access to physical activity locations influences behavior.
- Prevalence of perceived access to fitness facilities is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Describe characteristics of adults with perceived fitness facility access.
- Determine prevalence of perceived access, facility use, and barriers.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 27,894 adults from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey.
- Examined perceived access, use, and barriers to fitness facilities.
Main Results:
- 61% of adults reported perceived access to fitness facilities.
- Highest perceived access seen in younger, non-Hispanic white, college-educated adults, and those with lower BMI and higher activity levels.
- Cost was the most common barrier; 21% of adults reported using a fitness facility in the past year.
Conclusions:
- Fitness facilities offer a way to increase physical activity opportunities.
- Perceived access to fitness facilities is significantly associated with adult physical activity levels.
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