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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research

Barriers associated with the public use of sports facilities in China: a qualitative study

Authors: Wei Gao, Weisheng Feng, Qianli Xu, Shihui Lu, Keqiang Cao

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Sports and recreational facilities provide an important community resource where physical activity can be promoted among local residents. However, in China, many sports facilities are not fully open to the public and are often underutilized as essential public services. The purpose of this study was to examine the barriers to public entry from the facility management point of view.

Methods

A qualitative study informed by constructivist grounded theory. Individual interviews were conducted with executive managers, marketing staff, and facilities management personnel (n = 15). We took an inductive approach to data synthesis utilizing procedural three-level coding, and used the electronic data management program (NVivo12) to organize the data analysis process.

Results

The 15 participants discussed factors that impacted the sports facilities’ capacity to serve the public. Four key themes emerged from data synthesis: (a) Policy-related restrictions, (b) Management-related factors, (c) Service-related factors, and (d) Supervision factors. Specific barriers affecting facilities’ availability and accessibility involved policies and regulations, administrative pressure, institutional mechanisms, ideas, a professional team, practical ways, content development, schedule setting, spirit building, assessment and supervision, crisis management, and public evaluation.

Conclusion

Findings from this qualitative study provided theoretical ground and empirical support for future research aimed at making sports facilities more accessible to the public in order to maximize physical activity and meet the objectives of the national fitness blueprint in China.

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Title: Barriers associated with the public use of sports facilities in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Wei Gao
Weisheng Feng
Qianli Xu
Shihui Lu
Keqiang Cao
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14441-w

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Barriers associated with the public use of sports facilities in China: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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