Perceived and objectively measured access to strength-training facilities and strength-training behavior

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Promoting strength training is a public health priority.
• Understanding environmental influences on strength-training behavior requires assessing both self-reported and objective factors.
• Environmental factors significantly impact health behaviors, including exercise adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between perceived access to strength-training facilities and strength-training behavior.
• To examine the association between objectively measured access to strength-training facilities and strength-training behavior.
• To compare the predictive power of perceived versus objective access on strength-training behavior.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1,051 Japanese adults.
• Assessment of strength-training behavior, perceived facility access, and sociodemographic factors.
• Objective facility access calculated using geographic information system (GIS) data; logistic regression analyses performed.

Main Results:

• Perceived good access to strength-training facilities was significantly associated with higher strength-training behavior.
• Objectively measured access to facilities did not show a significant association with strength-training behavior.
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and other access measures.

Conclusions:

• Perceived access to strength-training facilities appears to be a stronger predictor of engagement in strength-training behavior than objective access.
• Interventions aimed at promoting strength training should consider individuals' subjective perceptions of facility accessibility.
• Future research could explore the mechanisms underlying the discrepancy between perceived and objective access in influencing behavior.