The Effect of Perceived Environment and Social Support on Participation in Leisure-Time Physical Activity of Staff in Islamic Azad University (District 13)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of perceived environment and social support on participation in leisure-time physical activity of staff in Islamic Azad University (district 13). The statistical population consisted of all male and female staff of Islamic Azad University of district 13 (N=2050). In order to collect data, the Participation in Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire confirmed by exploration, Robertson-Wilson et al. (2007) Perceived Environment Questionnaire, and Sallis et al. (1987) Social Support Scale were used. The reliability of the questionnaires was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient as 0.81, 0.78, and 0.86 respectively. In order to analyze the data, descriptive indicators, statistical tests of Kolmogorov-Smirnov and multivariate regression were used; to determine their construct validity, factor analysis and its effect, and structural equation test were used. The results indicated a positive and significant relationship between perceived environment and social support and between social support and physical activity. The results also showed that the social support variable had the ability to predict physical activity. Also, perceived environment and social support had no significant effect on physical activity.