See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/345468489

STUDY ON THE USAGE STATUS OF EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AND

TECHNOLOGIES BY THE INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN PHYSICAL
EXERCISE

Article in GYMNASIUM · August 2017

DOI: 10.29081/gsjesh.2016.17.1.02

CITATION READS

1 2,255

3 authors, including:

Eren Uluöz
Cukurova University
25 PUBLICATIONS 85 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Eren Uluöz on 16 November 2020.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 No. 1, Vol. XVII /2016
GYMNASIUM
Scientific Journal of Education, Sports, and Health

STUDY ON THE USAGE STATUS OF EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AND

TECHNOLOGIES BY THE INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN
PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Günsel Ana Maria 1*

Uluöz Eren 2
Dinç Zeynep Filiz 3
1
Çukurova University, Sarıçam/Balcalı, Adana 01380, Turkey
2,3
Cukurova University School of Physical Education and Sport, Turkey

Keywords: physical exercise, sports equipment, technology.

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the usage status of the exercise equipment and
technologies by the individuals participating in physical activity. The casual comparative
research has been used in this study. The research was carried out on a total of 224
volunteer adults, 138 men and 86 women with an age average of 31,48 +/- 11,19, who
participate in regular physical activity. The percentage usage of the equipment during the
activity is found to be 73,10%. The evaluation of the equipment usage depending on the
sex groups didn't show a difference significant from statistical point of view (x2=0,51,
df=1, p=.822). As a result, the most preferred equipment by the Turkish population shows
some similarities with the researches made on other populations. Using the sport
equipment it is expected to rise and the gained knowledge is expected to contribute to
more efficient exercise workouts and of course to a better public health.

1. Introduction
Starting with the Industrial Revolution from the beginning of the last
century until today the lifestyles and daily habits of people changed rapidly.
Technological innovations which record a very fast development led to radical
changes in the lives of people from all age groups (Rejeski, Brawley &
Shumaker, 1996). Because of the changes in their lifestyle, people's physical
activities reduced and everything that before was done by physical power
nowadays is done by machines or technological equipments.
This stable lifestyle caused by technological developments has brought a
halt to daily physical activity.

* E-mail: anamariagunsel@gmail.com;
Günsel Ana Maria, Uluöz Eren, Dinç Zeynep Filiz / Gymnasium

These technological developments have a benefit on many areas but led to

systematic problems on human health. (US Department of Health and Human
Services, 1996; Brady, 1988).
Modern life becomes an inactive lifestyle physical as well as physiological
and from psychological and sociological point of view affects the health of
people and communities adversely. According to the World Health
Organization; thousands of people throughout the world are losing their lives
every year because of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer due to lack of
physical activity (Hillsdon et al, 2002; WHO Consultation on Obesity, 2000).
Depression, anxiety, psychological problems such as tiredness and stress
also reduce the quality of life of many people today. Many studies have been
reported to be effective in solving the psychological problems by participation in
physical activity (US Department of Health and Human Services, 1996, Penedo
et al., 2005; Bauman, 2006; Daley, Macarthur & Winter, 2007).
Technological developments have benefits on people in many areas, as
well as on individual who practice physical activity and sport. The production of
new sport equipment contributes to the practice of a better quality physical
activity and plays an important role to the deliberate practice of the physical
activities.
Many scientific researches show that the technological developments are
strongly used in the fields of physical activities and sports. Many individuals are
using different equipments and technological products for different purposes,
during physical activity and sport (He, Zhou & Chen, 2007; Feng & Jian, 2003).
The most general classification used in the literature is as follows: "
technologies and equipments used in direct physical activity"," technologies
which determine and enable the monitoring of the physical change" and
"technologies which enable the programming of the physical activity"(He, Zhou
& Chen, 2007; Feng & Jian, 2003).
2. Material and methods
Purpose and hypotheses: In this context, the purpose of this research is to
determine the usage status of the exercise equipment and technologies by the
individuals participating in physical activity. Hypotheses in this study are:
- Hypothesis 1: “There is a significant difference between sex groups
on the ratio of evaluation of the equipment usage”.
- Hypothesis 2: “There is a significant difference between sex groups
on the ratio of evaluation performed on the reasons of not using
equipment”.
- Hypothesis 3: “There is a significant difference between sex groups
on the usage ratio of the technological products during the exercise”.
 No. 1, Vol. XVII /2016

- Hypothesis 4: “There is a significant difference between sex groups on

the reason of not using of the technological equipment during the
exercise”.
- Hypothesis 5: “There is a significant difference between sex groups on
considering as having enough knowledge regarding the technologies
related physical activity”.
- Hypothesis 6: “There is a significant difference between sex groups on
the desire to be instructed and get more knowledge on the technologies
usable during the exercise”.
Research model:
The casual comparative research has been used in order to determinate the
usage status of the exercise equipment and technologies by the individuals
participating in physical activity and the variables associated to these.
Population and sample:
This research was conducted in the central district of Adana in Turkey.
The study was conducted among individuals engaged in regular physical
activity. 224 adult individuals participated in the study.
The research was carried out on a total of 224 volunteer adults, 138 men
and 86 women with an age average of 31,48 +/- 11,19, who participate in
regular physical activity.
Data collection tools: Participation to the research was voluntary. As data
collection tools, in the study it has been used a questionnaire developed by the
researcher. The questionnaire consists of 20 questions. In the questionnaire there
are questions regarding the demographical characteristics of the participants as
well as questions about the equipments and technologies used during the
physical activity and exercise.
Data analysis: The results obtained in this study are summarized with
descriptive statistics methods as average calculation, standard deviation,
frequency, percentage, etc. When analyzing the variables of the research it has
been observed that all the data have a normal distribution.
In order to test the significance of the difference between the average of
the independent groups, independent t test was used.
For pair groups independent t test and for triple groups Anova test has
been used. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
3. Results and Discussions
The results regarding the demographical characteristics of the individuals
who participated to the research are shown on Table 1.
Günsel Ana Maria, Uluöz Eren, Dinç Zeynep Filiz / Gymnasium

Table 1. Results regarding some personal characteristics of the individuals

participating to the research

Weekly
Exercise
exercise
Sex Age Height Weight Income duration
duration
(month)
(day)
Women 30,58 165,34± 64,09± 2827,02± 24,74± 4,00±
(n:86) ±10,89 6,78 10,92 264,03 46,64 1,40
Men 32,04± 177,58± 81,14± 3695,74± 50,75± 4,35±
(n:138) 11,38 10,86 11,80 284,01 84,43 1,26
Total 31,48± 172,88± 74,60± 3362± 41.02± 4.21±
(n:224) 11,19 11,20 14,14 279,14 73,60 1,13

The average age of the participants, as shown in Table 1 is 31.48 ± 11.19,

the average height is 172.88 ± 11.20 cm, the average weight is 74.60 ± 14.14 kg
and the average income level is 3362 ± 279.14 TL.
In addition, it has been found that the regular exercise duration of the
participants is 41.02 ± 73.60 months, while the weekly exercise duration is 4.21
± 1.13 days. The percentage usage of the equipment during the activity is found
to be 73,10%.
Hypothesis 1 is rejected. Because the evaluation of the equipment usage
depending on the sex groups didn't show a difference significant from statistical
point of view (x2=0,51, df=1, p=.822).
The reason for not using equipment during the physical activity showed by
87,3% of the individuals was “participation in activities as jogging, hiking and
swimming” while 9,10% mentioned that they don't use this kind of equipments
because "they don't have enough knowledge".
Hypothesis 2 is rejected. As the evaluation performed on the reasons of
not using equipment according to sexes didn't show a difference significant from
statistical point of view (x2=2,734, df=2, p=.255). The most preferred equipment
by the individual participants of are shown in Table 2.
As seen in Table 2, the most preferred equipments by the participants are
as follows: treadmill (22.19%), cycling (11.23%) and Pilates equipment
(11.24%)
The usage ratio of the technological products during the exercise was
found to be 38.9%. 62,6% of the individuals not using technological products
stated they found them “not necessary” and 29,1% of them stated that “they
don’t have knowledge” about these products.
 No. 1, Vol. XVII /2016

Table 2. Distribution of the most preferred equipment

by the individual participants

Equipment n %
Treadmill 77 22.19
Dumbbells and free weights 74 21.32
Pilates equipment 39 11.24
Bicycle 38 10.95
Bicycle ergometer 32 9.22
Complex equipment 27 7.78
Rowing ergometer 10 2.88
Other 50 14.4
Total 347 100

Hypothesis 3 is rejected. Because the evaluation depending on the sex

groups didn't show a difference significant from statistical point of view
(x2=3,661, df=2, p=.160).
On Table 3 there are given the results regarding the reasons mentioned by
the participants for not using the technological equipments during the exercise.

Table 3. Results regarding the reasons mentioned by the participants for not
using the technological equipments during the exercise

Reason
I would like to
Sex I don't like I I don't know Total
use but it's
think is useless how to use it
expensive
37
Women 15 (%14) 18 (%16.8) 4 (%3,7)
(%34,6)
70
Men 52 (%48,6) 13 (%12,1) 5(%4.7)
(%65,4)
107
Total 67 (%62,8) 31(%29.0) 9 (%8,4)
(%100)
2
(x =12,347, df=2, p=.002)

As seen on table 3, 62,6% of the individuals not using technological

products stated they found them “not necessary” and 29,1% of them stated that
“they don’t have knowledge” about these products. Hypothesis 4 is accepted.
As the evaluation depending on the sexes showed a high significance from
statistical point of view of the men participants who said that "they don't like to
use and they think its useless" compared to the women (x2=12,347, df=2,
p=.002).
Günsel Ana Maria, Uluöz Eren, Dinç Zeynep Filiz / Gymnasium

On Table 4 the results regarding the level of knowledge of the participants

of the technologies used during the exercise are given.

Table 4. Results regarding the level of knowledge of the participants about the
technologies used during the exercise

Level of knowledge
Sex Total
Enough Not enough Undecided
81
Women 26(%12.3) 42(%19.8) 13 (%6.1)
(%38.2)
131
Men 65 (%30.7) 41 (%19.3) 25(%11.8)
(%61.8)
212
Total 91 (%42.9) 83(%39.2) 38 (%17.9)
(%100)
(x2=9,237, df=2, p=.010)

As seen on Table 4, 42,90% of the participants stated that they have

enough knowledge regarding the technologies used during exercise, while
39,20% stated they don't have enough knowledge.

Hypothesis 5 is accepted. Because the evaluation depending on the sexes

showed a high significance from statistical point of view of the men participants
who said that "they have enough knowledge regarding the technologies"
compared to the women (x2=9,237, df=2, p=.010).

Table 5. Distribution of the participants by the most used exercise technologies

Technologies used during the exercise n %

Smart phone applications 75 38.08
Pulse measuring instruments 44 22.33

Calories measurement tools 38 19.28

Physical measurement tools (height, 21 10.65
weight, etc.)
Computer software 19 9.65
Total 197 100

As seen on Table 5, the most preferred exercise technologies by the

participants are as follows: smart phone applications, pulse measuring
instruments, calories measurement tools, physical measuring instruments
(height, weight, etc.) and computer software.
 No. 1, Vol. XVII /2016

63,40% of the participants responded "yes" to the question "Do you want
to be instructed and get more knowledge on the technologies usable during the
exercise?". Hypothesis 6 is rejected. As the evaluation of the equipment usage
depending on the sex groups didn't show a difference significant from statistical
point of view (x2=1,740, df=2, p=.419).
Discussions
The development of sports equipment is significantly increasing as
technology nowadays is rapidly developing. According to Gu Chen (2008), a
sustainable development is seen based on the research and production processes
of sports equipment. Scientific Research on exercise-associated equipment, has
been shown to positively impact to physical activity (Rosenberg et al., 2010).
However, there have been conducted some studies regarding the
determination of the equipments to be used by the individuals (Robinson, 1999;
Trost et al., 2001; Bryant et al., 2008; Sirard et al., 2008).
In this study, equipment usage rate was found to be 73.10% and the most
preferred equipment by the participants is as follows: treadmill, dumbbells and
free weights, Pilates equipment, bicycle and bicycle ergometer. Rosenberg and
colleagues (2010) found a rate of the equipment owned by the participants of
82%. applications are seen as the most commonly used technology (Robert et
al., 2007).
However, the most preferred exercise reported is bicycle, roller skates,
aerobic equipment, dumbbells, and water sports equipment. It is also natural to
have different preferences for equipment in different communities. Exercises of
technological development and physical activity have been reported in many
scientific research is widely used (Dytell, Trent & Conway, 1991; Tate, Wing &
Winett).
Also in this study the rate of the usage of technological products was
found to be 38,9% and the most common technologies used were determined to
be the smart mobile phone applications, Pulse measurement tools, Calorie
measuring instruments, physical measuring instruments (height, weight, etc.)
and computer software.
When analysing the studies in the literature, the most used technologies
are the weight loss programs within the internet technology (Tate, Wing &
Winett, 2001), pedometer (Bouten et al., 1997) speed measuring instruments
(Boutin et al., 1997), calorie measurement instruments (Kumahar et al., 2004),
anthropometric measurement tools and mobile phone applications.
4. Conclusions
As a result, the most preferred equipment by the Turkish population shows
some similarities with the researches made on other populations.
The technological equipment used to exercise and physical activity also
shows similarities. Studies in the literature have shown that the usage of the
equipment and technology during the exercise and physical activity has positive
effects on individuals.
Günsel Ana Maria, Uluöz Eren, Dinç Zeynep Filiz / Gymnasium

A great majority of the individuals participating in the study reported that

they don't have enough knowledge about the use of relevant technology and
exercise.
However, almost all of the individuals who declare that they don't have
enough knowledge mentioned that they would like to have the chance to get an
instruction on this issue and stated that they want to participate in this training in
order to increase their knowledge on this subject.
In this context, with the support of the public health institutions, the
number of the people who want to participate in physical activity as well as the
number of individuals who want to be instructed in order to use the sport
equipment it is expected to rise, and the gained knowledge is expected to
contribute to more efficient exercise workouts and of course to a better public
health.
References
1. BAUMAN, A.E. (2004). Updating the evidence that physical activity is
good for health: an epidemiological review, Journal of Science and
Medicine in Sport, 1 (7), Supplement 1, 6-19, Australia;
2. BOUTEN C.V., KOEKKOEK K.T., VERDUIN M., KODDE R.,
JANSSEN J.D. (1997). A triaxial accelerometer and portable data
processing unit for the assessment of daily physical activity, IEEE Trans
Biomed Eng., 3 (44), 136–47, Netherlands;
3. BRADY, F. (1998). The Role Of Physıcal Actıvıtıes Throughout The
Lıfespan: Implıcatıons for counselors and teachers, Journal of Humanistic
Education & Development, 4 (36), 234–247, USA;
4. BRYANT M.J., WARD D.S., HALES D., VAUGHN A., TABAK R.G.,
STEVENS J. (2008). Reliability and validity of the healthy home survey: A
tool to measure factors within homes hypothesized to relate to overweight
in children, Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 5 (23), United Kingdom;
5. DALEY A.J., MACARTHUR C. WINTER H. (2007). The role of exercise
in treating postpartum depression: a review of the literature, J Midwifery
Womens Health; 52, 56–62, United Kingdom;
6. ROSENBERG, D. E., SALLIS, J. F., KERR, J., MAHER, J., NORMAN,
G. J., DURANT, N., & SAELENS, B. E. (2010). Brief scales to assess
physical activity and sedentary equipment in the home. Int J Behav Nutr
Phys Act, 7(10), 1-11, USA;
7. DYTELL, R. S., TRENT, L. K., & CONWAY, T. L. (1991). A causal
analysis of interrelationships among exercise, physical fitness, and well-
being in US Navy personnel. Naval Health Research Center, NHRC-91-27,
SAN DIEGO CA, USA;
8. HE, B., ZHOU, L. J., & CHEN, X. Y. (2007). Study on the International
Competitiveness of Chinese Sporting Goods Industry [J]. China Sport
Science, 27(7), 1-5, China;
 No. 1, Vol. XVII /2016

9. HILLSDON M., THOROGOOD M., WHITE I., FOSTER C. (2002).

Advising people to take more exercise is ineffective: a randomized
controlled trial of physical activity promotion in primary care, Int.J.of
Epidemiol, 31(4), 808-815, United Kingdom;
10. KUMAHARA, H., SCHUTZ, Y., AYABE, M., YOSHIOKA, M.,
YOSHITAKE, Y., SHINDO, M. & TANAKA, H. (2004). The use of
uniaxial accelerometry for the assessment of physical-activity-related
energy expenditure: a validation study against whole-body indirect
calorimetry. Br J Nutr., 2 (91), 235–43, Switzerland;
11. PENEDO, F. J., & DAHN, J. R. (2005). Exercise and well-being: a review
of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity.
Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18(2), 189-193, USA;
12. PINTO B.M., FRIEDMAN R., BESS H.M, KELLEY H., TENNSTEDT S.,
GILLMAN M. W. (2002). Effects of a computer-based, telephone-
counseling system on physical activity, Am J Prev Med., 2 (23), 113-120,
USA;
13. HURLING R., CATT M., DE BONI M., FAIRLEY B.W., HURST T.,
MURRAY P., RICHARDSON A., SINGH SODHI J. (2007). Using
Internet and Mobile Phone Technology to Deliver an Automated Physical
Activity Program: Randomized Controlled Trial, J Med Internet Res., 2 (9),
7, United Kingdom;
14. ROBINSON T. N. (1999). Reducing children’s television viewing to
prevent obesity: a randomized controlled trial, Jama, 282, 1561-1567, USA;
15. SIRARD J.R., NELSON M.C., PEREIRA M.A., LYTLE L.A. (2008).
Validity and reliability of a home environment inventory for physical
activity and media equipment, Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 5(1), 24, USA;
16. TATE D.F., WING R.R., WINETT R.A. (2001). Using Internet technology
to deliver a behavioural weight loss program, Jama, 7, 285 (9): 1172–1177,
USA;
17. TROST S.G., KERR L.M., WARD D.S., PATE R.R. (2001). Physical
activity and determinants of physical activity in obese and non-obese
children, Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 25(6): 822-829, USA;
18. TUDOR C.L., BASSETT D.R, SWARTZ A.M., STRATH S.J, PARR B.B,
REIS J. P., DUBOSE K.D., AINSWORTH B.E. (2004). A preliminary
study of one year of pedometer self-monitoring, Ann Behav Med. Dec., 3
(28), 158–162, USA;
19. SATCHER D. (G.D). (1996). U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. Physical activity and health: a report of the surgeon general, U.S.
J Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA;
20. REJESKI W.J., BRAWLEY L.R., SHUMAKER S.A. (1996), Physical
activity and health-related quality of life. Exerc Sport Sci. Rev., 24(1), 71–
108, USA;
 Günsel Ana Maria, Uluöz Eren, Dinç Zeynep Filiz / Gymnasium

21. World Health Organization. (2000). Consultation on Obesity. Obesity:

Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. World Health Organization;
WHO Technical Report Series, 268-294, Switzerland;
22. YOSHIOKA M., AYABE M., YAHIRO T., HIGUCHI H., HIGAKI Y.,
ST-AMAND J., MIYAZAKI H., YOSHITAKE Y., SHINDO M.,
TANAKA H. (2005). Long-period accelerometer monitoring shows the role
of physical activity in overweight and obesity, Int J Obes (Lond), 29(5):
502–508, Japan;
23. FENG Y.D., JIAN G. (2003). Retrospect and Prospect of Sports Instrument
Subjects in the Past 20 Years in China [J], China Sport Science and
Technology, 3(1), 222-228, China;
24. CHEN GU. (2007). Strategies on the Sustainable Development of Sports
Equipments Research and Manufacture in China [J]. Journal of Beijing
Sport University, 8 (1), 4-9, China.

View publication stats