Is it safe to exercise at indoor sports facilities despite the risk of viral infection? The moderating effect of psychological risk

Jae-Gu Yu * and Yunduk Jeong **

(*) Institution: Department of Sport Science, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea
(**) College of General Education, Kookmin University, Republic of Korea

Citation

Yu, J., Jeong, Y. (2024). Is it safe to exercise at indoor sports facilities despite the risk of viral infection? The moderating effect of psychological risk. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 55(2), 173-190. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2024.55.173

Abstract

The main goals of the present study are to examine (1) the effect of perceived knowledge about COVID-19 on attitudes and subjective norms; (2) the effect of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intentions to exercise at indoor sports facilities (applying the theory of planned behavior); and (3) the moderating effects of psychological risk on the variables of interest. The present study collected data from amateur athletes from November 20 to December 15, 2022. Structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation was used to test the variables’ relationships. The Jamovi statistical software was also used to conduct a moderation analysis. Results indicated significant impacts of (1) perceived knowledge on attitudes and subjective norms and (2) attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intentions. Moreover, psychological risk moderated these effects.

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