Preparation of the fitness center to support the aging society at the College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University

Abstract

This research aims to study the preparation for the fitness center's services at the College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, to support the aging society. This research is a qualitative study using the interviewing method. The data was collected through the structured interviews to examine the fitness center’s preparation in five aspects, which are; 1) the building, facility, and environment, 2) the gym, 3) services, 4) service staff, and 5) the safety, and emergency measures in accordance to the Standard for the Fitness-Center Business, Issue 1, B.E. 2557 (A.D. 2014), by the Ministry of Public Health. The key informants are the fitness center's stakeholders divided into two groups; (1) the customer group with the customers aged 51 years and over (12 persons) and (2) the personnel group with the personnel working at the College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University (12 persons). The sample groups were selected using the purposive sampling method. The data, then, was analyzed using the content analysis.
The study found that both groups had similar views on the building, facility and environment, the gym, and the safety and emergency measures with the highest importance on the convenience and safety; for example, adjusting the area to prevent slipping, preventing accidents while exercising, providing exercise areas especially for the elderly, and having first-aid equipment ready to use. For the services, the customer group focuses on healthy exercise activities with fun, diversity, and socialization, and they are also interested in educational activities about the health of the elderly. In contrast, the personnel-group informants focus on formulating appropriate exercise programs for the elderly that support the individual characteristics in terms of physical fitness and medical conditions. The group also focuses on providing proper exercise advice, safety, and caution against accidents and injuries of the elderly. For the service-staff aspect, the customers focus on their service mind and being taken care of with close attention and receiving the staff's advice, while the personnel group focuses on their development and specialization in the exercise for the elderly.