The effect of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics on spectators’ physical activity

Guillermo F. López-Sánchez ^[1] ; Dan Gordon ^[2] ; Lisa Hodgson ; Brendon Stubbs ^[2] ; Benjamin Gardner ^[3] ; Lee Smith ^[2]
1. [1] Universidad de Murcia
  
  Universidad de Murcia
  
  Murcia, España
2. [2] Anglia Ruskin University
  
  Anglia Ruskin University
  
  Cambridge District, Reino Unido
3. [3] King's College London
  
  King's College London
  
  Reino Unido
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Localización: Atena Journal of Sports Sciences, ISSN-e 2695-4486, Volumen 1, 2019, págs. 1-8
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- Objectives: This study aimed to explore the influence of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics on physical activity motivation and behaviour among spectators.
  
  Methods: The sample comprised 1851 spectators (mean age 36.6±12.7 years). Participants were asked via intercept surveys whether the Olympics changed or will change their desire to engage in regular physical activity, and whether they had increased their physical activity.
  
  Findings: 60.2% reported changes in their desire to engage in regular physical activity and 51.6% increased their physical activity. Those under 55 years of age were significantly more likely to change their desire to engage in regular physical activity (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.08). Non-Brazilians (versus Brazilians) were significantly more likely to report a change in their desire to engage in regular physical activity, and to have increased their physical activity (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.57; OR 1.40, 1.15 to 1.71, respectively).
  
  Conclusions: While previous studies have found no relationship between Olympics and population physical activity, our findings suggest that the Olympics may provide a unique opportunity to improve levels of physical activity.