Jennifer Volberding

Faculty/staff perceptions of a free campus fitness facility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the reason for faculty and staff (N=657; 35 percent males; M age=45.20) at a large Southern university, for either using or not using the free fitness facilities on campus. Design/methodology/approach – Participants identified themselves as either current (n=306), former (n=213), or never-users (n=138) of the facilities, and completed an on-line self-report qualitative questionnaire asking them to describe their reasons for using or not using the campus fitness facilities. Findings – Thematic coding revealed that motives fell into three broad categories for all user types: personal (i.e. cost, location, social support), facility-specific (i.e. quality and amount of equipment, class variety, hours of operation), and motivational climate (i.e. feeling valued, welcomed, best effort was emphasized). Current users highlighted positive aspects of each category whereas former and never users described each category as a barrier to their exercise routines. Pract...

Comparing current fitness center members’ perceptions of the motivational climate with non-members

Researchers using an achievement goal theory and caring climate framework have highlighted the connection between fitness center members’ climate perceptions and their exercise motivation. However, much of what is known comes from current members, with little known about former and non-members’ perceptions. The purpose of this study was to compare current, former, and non-members’ perceptions of the motivational climate of a university campus fitness facility. Faculty and staff (N = 657) at a large American university completed a one-time mixed-methods survey about their perceptions of the motivational climate (i.e. caring climate; preference for caring, task-, ego-involving climate), staff behaviors (i.e. caring, task involving), and usage of their campus fitness facility. Despite usage, quantitative analyses indicated that all participants reported valuing a caring, task-involving climate over a non-caring, ego-involving climate when choosing a fitness center. When asked about the particular fitness center for this study, current members were more likely than former and never users to perceive a caring climate where staff engaged in task-involving behaviors. Content analysis of the qualitative comments revealed that three main themes emerged with regard to perceptions and fell into positive, negative, and neutral categories. Overall, current users were more likely to perceive caring behaviors among the staff such as taking measures to welcome members and supporting their individualized goals. Former and never users were more likely to perceive staff as unhelpful, unwelcoming, and unfriendly. In an effort to remove barriers to physical activity, fitness professionals should consider how their behaviors, interactions, and promotional materials impact individuals’ decision of whether to exercise at their fitness facility. The findings include a discussion for fitness staff to consider when creating advertisement and outreach efforts as well as how to foster the most effective climate to attract and retain exercisers.

The Effectiveness of the Female Athlete Triad in Identifying Athletes’ Potential Risk of Long Term Health Consequences

The female athlete triad (FAT) is the relationship between the clinical manifestations of eating disorders, menstrual function, and osteoporosis, which research has reported female athletes being at a higher risk. The purpose of this study was to examine if predictive measures are indications of the FAT in collegiate track athletes. Twenty-five female cross-country, track and field athletes were evaluated for potential risk of the FAT by completing the 33 question Female Athlete Screening Tool (FAST) and a Student Athlete Health Questionnaire (SAHQ). The FAST identified the needs of the female athlete, while the SAHQ assessed risk and the prevalence of impaired bone health, menstrual dysfunction, nutritional concerns, and body dissatisfaction. None of the participants were identified as having the fully developed FAT, however 48% met at risk criteria. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare risk scores, with no comparisons demonstrating significance. It is clear the number of female athletes meeting the strict criteria of the current FAT is relatively low, yet many suffer from milder forms of the components. Any form of the components is harmful from a health and performance perspective and may be fatal with some not receiving the interventions needed.