Experiential Avoidance Related to Leisure Time Physical Activity




Sandberg, Birgitta; Hurmerinta, Leila; Kangasniemi, Anu; Leino, Henna M.

PublisherTaylor & Francis

2025

Leisure Sciences

0149-0400

1521-0588

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2025.2517342(external)

https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2025.2517342(external)

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/498432357(external)



Although there is growing interest in the reasons for avoiding leisure-time physical activity (PA), the impact of past negative experiences on leisure-time PA has received scant attention in the research literature. This research explores the triggers of negative PA experiences, their impact on leisure-time PA., and the role of experiential avoidance in leisure-time PA. The analysis of rich interview data on adults’ past PA experiences and their current emotions and behaviors related to leisure-time PA showed that past negative PA experiences can hinder, prevent—or occasionally even increase—leisure-time PA. Furthermore, the study provides a classification of distinct triggers for negative PA experiences and adds on the research on experiential avoidance by extending it to the context of leisure-time PA.


This work was supported by the Strategic Research Council at the Academy of Finland for the consortium project Healthy Lifestyles to Boost Sustainable Growth [STYLE, project number 346610].


Last updated on 2025-16-06 at 11:00