Exploring the Crisis Response and Overcoming Process of Fitness Center in the Situation of COVID-19

Analysis of Issues in Fitness Centers through News Articles before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea: Applying Big Data Analysis

“…They indicated that the role of the mass media in influencing the public's behavior became more crucial by providing the public with the most accurate and prompt information about the novel coronavirus infection and its prevention guidelines (e.g., hand washing, use of masks, and social distancing) that can have a positive impact on preventing the spread of disease through live updates news media articles. In contrast, a study conducted by Kwon and Nam [15] found a negative impact of news media to the public. The results indicated that news media frequently reported fitness centers as highrisk facilities for the spread of the coronavirus, causing further disruption to operations of fitness centers.…”

“…Some further examples of the qualitative research include the following: Myers et al [2] investigated the effects of COVID-19 on fitness centers from two perspec-tives, that of gym owners and clients, through interviews and observations. Kwon and Nam [15] explored the crisis response and coping process of fitness centers during COVID-19 through in-depth interviews with fitness center owners and business executives. To explore the physical and psychological change of fitness center members due to COVID-19, Kaur et al [22] conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with adults who regularly exercised before the pandemic to explore how they coped with staying physically active during the lockdown period when gym and fitness centers were closed.…”

“…As this information was extensively reported in the mass media, fitness centers and indoor sports facilities were recognized by the public as high-risk facilities for the spread of the coronavirus, causing further disruption to their operations. Kwon and Nam [15], in another study, interviewed fitness center representatives and managers to explore their experiences and coping process during the COVID-19 outbreak. The interviewees expressed that new clients were reluctant to visit fitness centers, as news media reported that fitness centers were dangerous due to droplets and fomites generated during exercise.…”

“…Existing studies related to COVID-19 and fitness centers have mostly relied on qualitative analysis and survey-based cross-sectional analysis based on limited research topics. Examples of these studies include risk management analysis for sustainable development of fitness centers during COVID-19 [12], exploration of gym-goers' preference for fitness centers during COVID-19 [13,14], and phenomenological analysis of countermeasures for fitness centers [2,15]. Self-reported survey studies have limitations due to the problem of social desirability bias and acquiescence in terms of the response style.…”