Characterization of pool users in Portugal: User practices and motivations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21134/riaa.v3i5.414Keywords:
Exercício, atividade aquática, aptidão física, inquérito, motivação.Abstract
Background: Exercising in an aquatic context has numerous benefits. However, the in-water practices may be inhibited by some constraints.
Objectives: We intend to verify the habits and motivations of the Portuguese people regarding the use of swimming pools, thus trying to understand the influencing factors for the practice of aquatic physical exercise.
Method: 530 participants, indoor swimming pool users, of both genders, aged 18-88 years, answered to a survey individually. The survey included information on personal characterization and also on the practices that were usual in aquatic context by each individual. The resulting data were then analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.
Results: There was a prevalence for swimming (62%) followed by water aerobics (35%) regarding the usual aquatic practices, being motivated mostly by health improvement (47%). Most of the subjects were experienced, attending the swimming pool for more than 2 years (64%), twice a week (60%), and preferential hours from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (50%).
Conclusions: It was observed that the Portuguese swimming pool users choose preferentially to swim and to perform water aerobics, at the end of the day and motivated by the improvement of health and individual well-being.
Keywords: Exercise, aquatic activity, fitness, survey, motivations.
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