Abstract:

The aim of this study is to examine the factors influencing the motivations of individuals, who do regular exercises in sports centers in Kayseri, about participating in leisure time activities, and to compare these factors according to some characteristics. 377 people, who exercised regularly between September-2017 and March-2018 in the sports centers in Kayseri, participated in the survey conducted through the survey model. The "Leisure Motivation Scale", which was developed by Pelletier et al., (1991) and adapted to Turkish by Mutlu (2008), was used as the data collection tool. SPSS 22 program was used in the analysis of the research data. According to the results of the research, no significant difference was determined in all factors influencing the motivation of participation in leisure activities regarding the level of education, activities most frequently done during leisure time, occupation, and income level; however, it was determined that there was significant difference in some factors concerning the age and marital status. It was also determined that the “identification-introjection” factor came to the forefront in motivating individuals about leisure activities. It is estimated that watching the athletes on the T.V. and on the tribunes and following famous athletes in social media might cause the sense of "identification-introjection" in individuals, who are regularly doing exercises. Hanging the images of successful athletes on the walls of sports centers more conspicuously and posting impressive sayings of famous athletes in the sports centers are suggested in order to develop the sense of "identification-introjection" of individuals, who are doing regular exercises.