Dimensions of Fitness Services: Development of a Model
in Journal of Sport ManagementClick name to view affiliation
This study was undertaken to (a) define and describe the dimensions of fitness service attributes, (b) identify the differences, if any, between groups of subjects (categorized by sex and marital status) in the degree to which the defined attributes influenced their choice of a fitness club, and (c) develop a scale to measure those dimensions. The Scale of Attributes of Fitness Services (SAFS) was developed in three stages: generation of 71 items to measure the six theoretically derived dimensions, a pilot study (n = 178), and a final study (n = 436). In the final version of SAFS, 30 items were retained to measure five dimensions of fitness attributes: professional services, consumer services, peripheral services, facilities and equipment, and secondary services (such as provision of liquor and food). The results of the 2 x 2 x 5 (sex x marital status x dimensions) repeated measures AMOVA showed a significant three-way interaction effect. Despite differences among the four groups in the absolute ratings of the five dimensions, there was an overall consistency in the rating of facilities and equipment as the most influential dimension, and secondary services such as the bar and restaurant as the least influential in the subjects’ decision to join a particular club.
Direct all correspondence to P. Chelladurai, Faculty of Physical Education, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., N6A 3K7 Canada.
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