CONSTRAINTS TO EXERCISE ADHERENCE AND NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES AMONG CLIENTS AT SELECTED FITNESS CENTRES IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA STANLEY KAGUNDA KINUTHIA (BSc) H60/24509/2013 A RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (RECREATION & SPORTS MANAGEMENT) IN THE SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND LEISURE STUDIES, KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OCTOBER, 2018 ii DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my original work and has not been presented in any other university for consideration. This thesis has been complemented by referenced sources duly acknowledged. Where text, data, graphics, pictures or tables have been borrowed from other sources- including the internet, these are specifically acknowledged through referencing in accordance to anti-plagiarism regulation. Signature…………………………………………… Date ………………………. Stanley Kagunda Kinuthia - H60/24509/2013 Department of Recreation and Sports Management SUPERVISORS We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision as university supervisors: Signature…………………………………………… Date ………………………. Nkatha Muthomi (PhD) Department of Recreation and Sports Management Kenyatta University Signature…………………………………………… Date ………………………. Francis Mundia (PhD) Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science Kenyatta University iii DEDICATION To my entire family for your love and support always. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I am thankful and grateful to God for giving me strength, patience and good health throughout the course of this research work. I also would like in a special way to appreciate and thank my thesis supervisors Dr. Nkatha Muthomi and Dr. Francis Mundia for their guidance, assistance and advice. They unconditionally kept their doors open for me to ask questions, sharing their expertise and for their resourceful criticisms which all navigated me in the right direction. I appreciate Kenyatta University for her kindness and support through funding me with a scholarship to pursue Master degree. I am also grateful to the managers, supervisors and instructors in the fitness industry and my research assistants for accepting to be part of this work. I further acknowledge the dean school of Applied Human Sciences, the chairman department of Recreational Management and Exercise Science and their staff for their unwavering support throughout the course of this study. I additionally thank Mr. Luka Waiganjo for his unique role in shaping this work. Finally, I place my gratitude to my parents, spouse, brothers and sisters for their prayers, support and encouragement during highs and lows in the course of this work. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .................................................................................................................ii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. x LIST OF FIGURES ...........................................................................................................xii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ........................................................................ xiii OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS .................................................................. xiv ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ............................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................. 4 1.3 Purpose of the Study ...................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Objectives of the Study ................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Study Hypotheses .......................................................................................................... 6 1.7 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................... 7 1.8 Delimitations of the Study ............................................................................................. 7 1.9 Limitations of the Study ............................................................................................. 8 1.10 Assumptions of the Study ............................................................................................ 8 1.11 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................. 11 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Exercise and Fitness Programmes Adherence Conformity to the Recommended Standards .................................................................................................................. 11 2.3 Exercise and Fitness Programmes Adherence Conformity and Socio-demographic Characteristics .......................................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 Exercise and Fitness Programmes Adherence Conformity and Gender................... 13 vi 2.3.2 Exercise and Fitness Programmes Adherence Conformity and Age ........................ 15 2.3.3 Exercise and Fitness Programmes Adherence Conformity and Level of Education 16 2.4 Constraints to Participation in Exercise and Fitness Programmes .............................. 17 2.5 Constraints to Exercise Adherence and Socio-Demographic Characteristics ............. 20 2.5.1 Constraints to Exercise Adherence and Gender ....................................................... 20 2.5.2 Constraints to Exercise Adherence and Age ............................................................ 21 2.5.3 Constraints to Exercise Adherence and Level of Education .................................... 22 2.6 Constraints Negotiation Strategies in Exercise and Fitness Programmes Adherence . 23 2.7 Constraints Negotiation Strategies and Socio-Demographic Characteristics ............. 25 2.7.1 Constraints Negotiation Strategies and Gender ........................................................ 25 2.7.2 Constraints Negotiation Strategies and Age ............................................................. 25 2.7.3 Constraints Negotiation Strategies and Level of Education ..................................... 26 2.8 Summary of Literature Review ................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..................................................................... 29 3.1 Research Design .......................................................................................................... 29 3.2 Measurement of Variables ........................................................................................... 29 3.3 Location of the Study .................................................................................................. 29 3.4 Target Population ........................................................................................................ 30 3.4.1 Inclusion criteria ....................................................................................................... 30 3.4.2 Exclusion criteria ...................................................................................................... 30 3.5 Sampling Procedures ................................................................................................... 31 3.6 Sample Size ................................................................................................................. 31 3.7 Research Instruments ................................................................................................... 32 3.8 Pre Testing of Research Instrument ............................................................................ 33 3.9 Validity and Reliability ............................................................................................... 33 3.10 Data Collection Technique ........................................................................................ 34 3.11 Data Analysis and Presentation ................................................................................. 35 3.12 Ethical and Logistical Considerations ....................................................................... 35 vii CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ....................................................................................... 37 4.1 Demographics of Respondents .................................................................................... 37 4.1.1 Gender of the Respondents ......................................................................................