Experiential Avoidance Related to Leisure Time Physical Activity

2025/06/12 by Birgitta Sandberg, Leila Hurmerinta, Anu Kangasniemi +1 · 1 voice
Psychology · Medicine · #Eating Disorders and Behaviors #Physical Activity and Health #Adventure Sports and Sensation Seeking

paper · doi:10.1080/01490400.2025.2517342

openalex publication_date 2025/06/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

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.

Citations

• Identity Ambiguity and Change in the Wake of a Corporate Spin-off
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Discussions

• 🚶💭 Why do some people avoid movement—even when they want to be active? A new open access article in Leisure Sciences dives into experiential avoidance: how negative past experiences shape lifelong [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]