Predicting fitness coaches’ intentions to include persons with disabilities in gyms: an application of the theory of planned behavior

TL;DR

This study explores how fitness coaches in Germany can be encouraged to include people with disabilities in gyms, based on their attitudes and experiences.

Contribution

The study applies the theory of planned behavior to understand how intentions of fitness coaches to include people with disabilities are formed.

Findings

Descriptive norms and experiential attitudes significantly predict coaches' intentions to support individuals with disabilities.

Previous experiences and frequent contact with people with disabilities influence intention-forming factors.

Fitness coaches need targeted training and resources to translate their intentions into practice.

Abstract

Promoting equal access to fitness offers implies the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in gyms. However, many gyms do not meet the needs of people with disabilities due to physical, social, and human resource barriers. This study examines fitness coaches’ capacities and intentions of providing fitness offers for individuals with disabilities using the theory of planned behavior as a framework.

A quantitative online survey was conducted with 182 fitness coaches in Germany. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and regression analysis to empirically test the theory of planned behavior constructs and identify factors influencing coaches’ intentions.

The analysis confirmed that descriptive norms and experiential attitudes predict coaches’ intentions to support individuals with disabilities, highlighting the importance of social pressures and experience-based attitudes. Previous experiences, frequent contact with individuals with disabilities, and adequate preparation, often achieved through informal means, play crucial roles in shaping these intention-forming factors.

Although fitness coaches express strong intentions to support individuals with disabilities, there is a need for targeted training and resources. These trainings and additional resources could equip coaches with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively translate their intentions into practice, even though the actual implementation was not measured in the study.

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