Motives and Barriers Affecting the Participation of Polish People in the Physical Activity of Nordic Walking

Andrzej Soroka, Agnieszka Godlewska () and Anna Mazurek-Kusiak
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Andrzej Soroka: Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, B. Prusa 14 st., 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Agnieszka Godlewska: Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, B. Prusa 14 st., 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Anna Mazurek-Kusiak: Department of Tourism and Recreation, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: The aim of the study was to identify motives and barriers which have the greatest influence on participation in Nordic Walking (NW) of people with normal body weight and persons who are either overweight or obese (according to their BMI). In the study, the modified Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) was used, which was designed to measure adult physical activity (PA) motivation. PALMS measures eight motives for participation in PA, on a 5-point Likert scale. The study was conducted during a NW competition and during training sessions of its participants. Two groups of respondents were taken into account: the first group with those with normal body weight and the second group with those who were overweight or obese. Respondents with normal body weight were more frequent participants of NW sessions. Enhanced body capacity, concern for one’s health, improved body shape and lifespan extension were major motives of practicing NW. Polish people perceive PA as a means of improving the quality of life due to enhanced health and wellbeing. Subjects with normal body weight tended to mention lack of areas suitable for NW and lack of time due to professional work. Overweight or obese persons pointed to other types of PA, shyness and lack of time.

Keywords: normal body weight; body mass index (BMI); overweight and obesity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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