| Author: | Law, Sze-man |
| Title: | The role of built environment and facilities management in promoting physical activity in residential housing estates |
| Degree: | M.Eng. |
| Year: | 2006 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations. Exercise. Housing and health. Environmental health. Facility management. |
| Department: | Department of Building Services Engineering |
| Pages: | viii, 114 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Physical activity is important for human health and there are substantial benefits in doing an adequate amount of exercises. However, the problem of inactivity is crucial in Hong Kong. Suitable interventions in promoting physical activity are therefore essential. In order to provide information for effective implementation of relevant strategies, this study evaluated the extent to which built environment and facilities management affect residents' choice in doing exercise, with particular focus on gymnasiums in residential housing estates. In this study, three sets of questionnaire surveys were conducted to investigate the relative importance of different personal and built environment attributes in affecting residents' decision. The results indicated that although personal interest was vital in determining whether the residents would use the gymnasium, improvements could be made by facility managers to enhance its utilization and hence the participation level of physical activity. The aesthetic design of the gymnasium was important and it was most likely that people would be attracted by well decorated gymnasiums. The results also suggested that the maintained environmental condition, the provided services and the available facilities were essential as they were the basic elements in a gymnasium. Personal mood that was influenced by the company of friends and weather conditions was found to be more important for youngsters. People perceived the entrance fee to be the most important. However, they were eager to pay more for a better environmental condition. The availability of neighbourhood facilities was not important largely because of the unique characteristics of gymnasiums. Gymnasium is only one of the many venues for physical activities. Similar approaches could be adopted to study other exercise facilities so as to obtain a full picture for effective physical activity promotion campaigns. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b19736708.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 8.72 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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