Adults socio-professional characteristics and motivating factors of doing physical exercise in Burundi: study on 332 subjects

Abstract

The benefits of a regular physical activity on health are widely recognized. To promote it, it is essential to understand well its underlying factors. This study aims to identify the socio-professional profile of Burundians who participate in physical activities of maintenance. It also tries to explain the motives for their participation in those sporting activities. It was a descriptive and analytic cross-sectional study concerning a sample of 332 subjects (263 men and 69 women) old from 18 to 67 years living at Bujumbura (BURUNDI Capital). The results show that men are more committed than women in physical activities of maintenance during their free time (79, 22 % vs 20, 78 %, p < 0,001). Walking, jogging and gymnastics of maintenance are the most practiced activities. Individuals who have an elementary school level attend less these activities than those having a higher level of education (7, 23 % vs 55, 12%, p < 0,001). The most economically favoured persons practice more than the remainder of the population. Men as well as women are sensitized with the multiple beneficial effects of physical activities and they argue the search for a good health, pleasure and friendly relations as motives of their participation in physical and sporting activities.