Perceived and Objectively Measured Access to Strength-Training Facilities and Strength-Training Behavior

The promotion of strength training is a public health priority. Employing both self-reported and objective assessment of environmental factors is helpful for a better understanding of the environmental influences on strength-training behavior. This study aims to investigate the associations of perceived and objectively measured access to strength-training facilities with strength-training behavior. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey targeted 3,000 Japanese adults and 1,051 responded validly. Strength-training behavior, perceived access to facilities, and sociodemographic factors were assessed. Objective access to facilities was calculated using a geographic information system. Logistic regression analyses were conducted. Perceived good access to the facilities was significantly associated with strength-training behavior, whereas objective access to the facilities was not, even when adjusted for sociodemographic factors and other measures of access to strength-training facilities. Perceived access to the facilities may be a stronger predictor of strength-training behavior than objective access.