Motivation and behaviour change in Parkrun participants in the Western Cape province, South Africa
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Mass participation events are promoted in South Africa as a positive public health initiative.
Parkrun has grown to be one of the most popular. The present study identifies the motives of residents
in the Western Cape Province to join parkrun and how their involvement influences future physical
activity levels. Participants (N = 1787) completed a survey consisting of demographic history, parkrun
participation history, motivations for participation, and physical activity-related behaviour changes
associated with parkrun participation. The majority of participants were female (n = 952) and over
50 years of age (median = 50; IQR = 38–59). Along with health-related benefits, the provision of a safe
and organised event was reported as a key motive to participate. The social connectedness developed
by parkrun encouraged continued participation and promoted uptake of more physical activity. Close
to half the participants reported increases in physical activity levels after joining parkrun, which
demonstrates the benefit obtained from participation in structured mass participation events. With
the large diversity in socioeconomic status in South Africa related to physical activity levels, parkrun
provides a protected and engaging environment that provides opportunity for increased physical
activity and potentially reducing the burden on the healthcare system.
Description
CITATION: Chivunze, E. et al. 2021. Motivation and behaviour change in Parkrun participants in the Western Cape province, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15):8102, doi:10.3390/ijerph18158102.
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
Keywords
Well-being -- Western Cape (South Africa), Athletes -- Attitudes -- Western Cape (South Africa), Running -- Western Cape (South Africa), Parkrun (Organization) -- South Africa
Citation
Chivunze, E. et al. 2021. Motivation and behaviour change in Parkrun participants in the Western Cape province, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15):8102, doi:10.3390/ijerph18158102.