Perception of quality and adoption of health-preventive measures in gym-goers after the COVID-19 pandemic peak in Italy

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity and exercise patterns among gym-goers in Italy and their health-related behaviours at the gym after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in Italy. In addition to that, their perception of the hygiene standards and safety of gyms, according to several individual variables, was evaluated. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data of individuals who were recruited from gyms between May and June 2023. Descriptive statistics were carried out to describe the sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics of the sample and the perceived quality of the gyms. Each association between variables was assessed by using bivariate analysis, and after verifying its statistical significance, two logistic regression models were performed using the perceived quality of the gym and the likelihood of adoption of health-preventive measures as dependent variables. Results: The study involved 1321 participants, with a nearly equal gender distribution. Most of the sample was aged between 18 and 25, unmarried, and approximately 45% were students. Most engaged in moderate physical activity, mainly free-weight lifting and machine exercises, 3-5 times a week for 1-2 h in the evening. Participants generally rated the gym positively, with 34.49% considering it "Good" and 39.23% rating it "Very good." Ratings from females were slightly lower compared to those from males. The age group 18-25 rated the gym higher, while higher education levels were associated with slightly lower ratings. The analysis of health-preventive behaviours, including practices such as using personal towels, sanitising equipment, respecting safety distances, revealed that approximately 41.3% of the participants were likely to adopt those measures, with an additional 23.3% categorised as "very likely." Males showed a greater inclination towards these behaviours compared to females. In particular, the perceived quality of the gym influenced individuals' likelihood of adopting health-preventive measures. This indicates that factors such as hygiene, adequacy, and safety of the environment can influence individuals' motivation to engage in health-preventive behaviours. Conclusions: Italian gym-goers generally perceived the quality of the gyms positively, with safety and cleanliness impacting their satisfaction and the adoption of health-preventive behaviours. Sociodemographic factors significantly influence these perceptions and behaviours, highlighting the need for safer, health-focused fitness facilities to promote physical activity, public health, and sustainable fitness habits and emphasising the need to understand user preferences for enhanced customer satisfaction, loyalty, and well-being through tailored management strategies and preventive measures.