Research Problems

This research project is underpinned by an accumulation of data which indicates that the level of participation in physical activity and sport in Saudi Arabia is not only low, but also slowly declining. According to Abalkhail (2002), an increase in the body mass index from 1994 to 2000 was marked among Saudi Arabian young people. This was viewed as a problem for both sexes, with a noticeable increase in male high school students aged 10–16 years. According to Al-Hazzaa (2007a, 2007b), during the past 30 years, the lifestyles of Saudi communities have been changing, including physical activity patterns and eating habits. Of major concern are the high numbers of inactive

adolescents; one study found that 48 per cent of Saudi boys do not participate in daily physical activity programs (Al-Rukban, 2003). In another study by Al-Hazzaa (2004), all of the studies between 1993 and 2004 showed that physical inactivity levels among different groups of Saudi children and adults rarely fell below 43 per cent. For some segments of the adult male population, the figure was even higher, with 54 per cent being inactive, and classified as sedentary. In addition, the prevalence of physical inactivity by males has increased from early adulthood (16–30 years) (Al-Hazzaa, Al- Sobayel, Abahussain, Qahwaji, Alahmadi & Musaiger, 2011, 2013; Khalid, 1995).

Amin et al. (2011) examined individual barriers towards physical activity among adult Saudis in the city of Al-Hassa. The study showed that only 52 per cent of

respondents were suitably active and met the minimum recommended level of physical activity. The most often cited constraints were lack of facilities, bad weather, cultural traditions, and time. In another study, Al-Nozha, Ali and Osman (1997) found that more than 58 per cent of young Saudi males were at risk of suffering coronary heart disease due to their physical inactivity. It has also been found that 20 per cent of males in Riyadh walk for less than 10 minutes at a time on any single day of the week (Al- Hazzaa, 2006).

Many Western nations, such as Canada and the USA, have had to deal with similar problems and, in recent years, significant concerns have arisen regarding

children’s low participation levels in physical activity, as well as the increasing level of obesity in children and youth (Casper & Harrolle, 2013; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2013; Fulton et al., 2011;Statistics Canada, 2015). In 2012-2013 CHMS survey indicate that most school-aged children and youth are not getting enough

physical activity to meet the current Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Only 13% of boys were getting an average of at least 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous

physical activity as recommended in the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (Statistics Canada, 2015). One years earlier, according to Casper and Harrolle (2013) about 50% of the sample (n=457) was inactive and 81% would like be more active. Further, several studies have found increased levels of physical inactivity among adolescents during their high school years (Al-Hazzaa et al., 2014; Casper et al., 2013; Elena, 2014; Heggebo & Anderssen, 2003; Vigo-Valentin et al., 2014). There is increasing evidence that links the decline of physical activity with the increasing

number of health problems being experienced, such as obesity and heart disease (World Health Organization, 2015; Department of Health in UK, 2011).

Regrettably, young people are also more at risk of suffering health problems. It appears that most young people do not follow the USA physical activity guideline recommendations, which suggest 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (American Heart Association , 2015; World Health Organization, 2015;). The results of these studies raise the following question: what prevents young people from being active and from playing sport or any physical activity? This question underpins the aim of this study, which is an area of research that has received only limited attention in Saudi Arabia.

Alkmies (2010) identified a number of factors that have been used to explain the increasing levels of inactivity among young Saudis, and their apparent preference for sedentary behaviour. One reason was the lack of emphasis on sport in public schools, as opposed to private schools. Another reason was a poorly organised sport system that failed to deliver well-structured programs and competitions for young people, especially in more disadvantaged communities. These factors are sensibly postulated, but there is little or no research that supports Alkmies’ claims. As a result, there is a need to investigate the constraints and motivations that affect physical activity and sport

participation among Saudi Arabian adolescents. Hence, this study will address this question in relation to male adolescents in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

As noted in the early part of this chapter, the study has adopted a constraints and motivations-based model to frame the discussion and analysis. This model has a number of operational strengths. First, other researchers have successfully employed the

constraints -based model (Casper et al., 2011; Godbey, Crawford & Xiangyou Sharon, 2010; Palen et al., 2010; Shifman et al., 2012) and other studies have successfully employed the motivations-based model (Cooper et al., 2012; Luka, 2013; Frederick & Ryan,1993; Sibley et al., 2013). Second, it is the best model for addressing the research questions, as the sequential order of the model is taken into account in the process of the analysis. Third, the constraining and motivating factors examined within this model are essential for explaining the low levels of participation in physical activity and sport (Cooper & Quatrano, 1999). The relationship between the variables underpinning the research questions and the hypotheses that follow, highlights the fact that participation in physical activity and sport is not only influenced by the expectation of having a positive leisure experience (motivational factors), but it is also affected by problematic factors that make participation difficult (constraining factors).