PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Time constraints are a major barrier to participation in physical activity. The purpose of this study is to examine (1) how participants in a short fitness program (two 30-minute sessions per week over a four-week period) change the time allocated to other weekly activities and (2) what factors explain the differences in time allocation. A quasi-experimental design was chosen including a physical entry test and a pre survey, a four-week training intervention, and a physical exit test with a post survey. The program was provided by over 300 German fitness clubs. The voluntary and free of charge program was completed by 10,095 test persons. The results of the t-tests show that participants allocated significantly less time on work, homework, caring, education and learning, repairs, social contacts, and other hobbies to find time to go to the gym. Regression analyses indicate what factors explain differences in time allocation between the post and pre survey. A controversial finding was observed for body-mass-index which was significantly and positively associated with time spent on three activities: The higher the body-mass-index, the more time participants allocated to caring, education and learning, and repairs during the training period. To conclude, participants found time to go to the gym by reducing the time allocated to several weekly activities rather than substantially reducing one activity. For people with higher body-mass-index participation in the fitness program may have been a start to a more active life in general.