Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Assistant Professor of Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
2 Master's student, Sports Management, Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
This qualitative study aimed to explore the role of new technologies in individuals' engagement in leisure time physical activity. Thirteen experts in this field were purposefully selected for semi-structured interviews following the principles of the Information Power approach. Content analysis, utilizing Brown and Clarke's (2006) six-phase framework, was employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed three distinct roles of new technologies in leisure time physical activity: "Facilitator", "Reducer" and "Inhibitors". The "Facilitator" role, supported by 100 extracted codes, depicts the facilitative aspect of new technologies in enhancing physical activity. Conversely, the "Reducer" role, comprising 19 extracted codes, illustrates how new technologies steer individuals towards sedentary behavior and reduce physical activity levels. Lastly, the "Inhibitors" role, encompassing 29 codes, demonstrates how new technologies indirectly impede an individual's participation in physical activity by influencing various aspects of their lives. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that new technologies play multifaceted roles in shaping individuals' engagement in leisure time physical activity. While they act as a facilitator by easing and increasing opportunities for physical activity, they also serve as reducers potentially promoting sedentary behaviors. Furthermore, new technologies can act as an inhibitors, indirectly restraining individuals from engaging in physical activity through various impacts on their thoughts, preferences, and lifestyles.
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