Barriers to Leisure Time Physical Activity and its Relationship to Demographic Characteristics in Tabriz People

The aim of this study was to determine barriers to leisure time physical activity and its relationship with demographic characteristics of people in Tabriz and to provide appropriate strategies. The study was descriptive and comparative. 401 citizens over 15 years old in Tabriz were selected by cluster random sampling method. Data were collected through Demographic Data Questionnaire, Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the study was conducted by multivariate analysis of variance and multivariate regression using the SPSS 18 at P<0.05. The findings indicated that in all age groups, lack of resources was the most important barrier to physical activity. Multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant difference between men and women in 11 variables of barriers to physical activity (eta=0.081, HT=0.079, P˂0.005, F(11,389)=3.026). Also, Multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant difference among four groups of adolescents, the youth, adults and the elderly in barriers to physical activity (eta=0.307, RLR=0.444, P˂0.005, F(11,389)=15.700). Findings identified physicalactivity barriers from the viewpoints of Tabriz people in age and sex groups and strategies to overcome these barriers based on demographic characteristics were suggested.