The Influence of Leisure Preference, Life Priority and Making Time on Regular Participation in Leisure Time Physical Activity

Abstract

Using an attitude‐behaviour theory approach this study examined the direct and indirect influence of preference, life priority and time allocation on regular participation in leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA). The cross‐sectional study used self‐report questionnaires to collect data from a random sample of 250 people aged 19 to 87 years living in an Australian city. The findings suggest that people's regular participation in LTPA is not directly influenced by their preference for it. Rather, making LTPA a high life priority and allocating time for LTPA are intervening factors that explain the relationship. The outcomes emphasise the importance of encouraging the formation of a preference for physical activity in young children. They suggest all levels of government and the leisure profession emphasise work/life balance by prioritising LTPA, educating people about time management and helping them to develop time management skills.

Key words:

• leisure‐time physical activity
• physical activity
• leisure
• life priority
• preference
• time
• constraints