Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Associate Professor of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2
M.S. Student of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
Today, technology is becoming seamlessly integrated into people’s daily lives, affecting many aspects of their routines. This trend has turned new technologies into a double-edged sword, creating both opportunities and challenges for leisure time. However, the full impact of these changes remains largely unclear. Technological and entertainment industry advancements have transformed how people spend their leisure time. Shifts in technology usage patterns have significantly impacted lifestyles and leisure activities in both developed and emerging economies. The proliferation of technology—from smartphones and laptops to gaming consoles and smartwatches—has profoundly influenced various aspects of daily life, including routines, professional tasks, and recreational pursuits. Within the realm of leisure, the relationship between free time and technology has become increasingly intertwined. Technology has reshaped traditional concepts of leisure, creating opportunities for people to engage in new recreational activities. Modern technologies not only facilitate leisure pursuits through enhanced communication and coordination but also enrich personal leisure experiences by providing greater access to information. The lack of sufficient research on how new technologies influence people’s participation in physical activity—particularly leisure-time physical activity—has created significant challenges for planning and developing active leisure programs. At the same time, efforts to promote and expand active physical leisure must take into account these ongoing changes. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of new technologies in individuals’ engagement with leisure physical activity. By doing so, it seeks to provide valuable insights for the field of leisure studies, clarify the importance of technology in leisure-time physical activity, and offer information that can inform policy-making to better support active lifestyles in society.
Methods
This exploratory qualitative study employed an applied research framework. Participants included experts drawn from sports science, educational science, social science, and computer science disciplines. Purposive sampling, supplemented by snowball sampling, identified 13 experts, with sample size guided by the concept of information power. Data collection encompassed document analysis and semi-structured interviews. Validity was ensured using established criteria of credibility, transferability, and confirmability. Data were analyzed following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) content analysis model.
Results
Analysis yielded 148 open codes, culminating in the identification of three central roles that new technologies assume regarding leisure physical activity participation: facilitator, reducer, and inhibitor. The facilitator role encapsulates how technologies promote or ease engagement in physical activity. The reducer role reflects technology’s capacity to decrease activity levels, often fostering sedentary lifestyles. The inhibitor role addresses technology-related barriers that indirectly impede leisure-time physical activity by influencing individual attitudes, preferences, and lifestyle choices.
Conclusion
The study demonstrates the multifaceted impact of new technologies on leisure-time physical activity. Technologies act as facilitators by expanding access and opportunities for engagement, yet simultaneously contribute to reductions in activity through fostering sedentary behaviors. Moreover, their inhibitory effects manifest via subtle psychosocial influences that discourage participation. This complex interplay underscores the necessity for nuanced, holistic approaches in promoting physical activity amidst technological advances. Strategies that mitigate technological barriers while leveraging facilitative potentials are vital for enhancing physical activity and improving public health in the digital era.
Article Message
New technologies exert diverse influences on leisure physical activity participation. This article utilizes qualitative expert perspectives to explicate these varied roles.
Ethical Considerations
The study was conducted in compliance with all relevant ethical standards in sports management research.
Authors’ Contributions
Conceptualization: Ahmad Ali Asefi
Data Collection: Arezo Yazdi
Data Analysis: Ahmad Ali Asefi, Arezo Yazdi
Manuscript Writing: Ahmad Ali Asefi, Arezo Yazdi
Review and Editing: Ahmad Ali Asefi
Literature Review: Ahmad Ali Asefi, Arezo Yazdi
Project Management: Ahmad Ali Asefi
Additional Contributions: Qualitative Analysis Department Collaborators
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank all interviewees for generously contributing their time and valuable perspectives, greatly enriching this research.
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