The reasons of nonparticipation in physical activity in Iran: An exploratory analysis

Background: In the past few years, the increasing importance of the impact of exercise on physical and mental health has caused mobility wave around the world. Nevertheless, in Iran, a few people participate in physical activities. Aim: This study aimed to assess the reasons of nonparticipation in physical activity in Iran. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive and analytical approach conducted as a field study. The population of this research includes all people in Iran. Results: The results revealed that this factors are effective: three factors in individual characteristics variable (lack of sports skills, fatigue and impatience, fear of injury), four factors in inhibitor variable (lack of access to sports facilities and venues, poor quality of sports facilities and venues, being too busy, low income), four factors in environmental driving variable (lack of proper planning for sports, lack of awareness of the advantage of sport activities, feeling embarrassed after the loss, low number of exclusive sports facilities) and two factors in sports features variable (fear of winning and losing in sports, high intensity and duration of sport activities). Conclusion: Findings indicated that the environmental variable and inhibitor variable were more effective than two other variables, hence authorities and planners should pay more attention to these obstacles and problems with better management and provision of infrastructure facilities. These problems must be solved and strategies must be developed for promotion of sports in the country.