Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the quality of exercise clubs for health in the Chiangklang
District of the Nan Province. This research also aimed to describe the process for developing exercise
clubs. As well, it examined the results that related to social networking and the impact of these
exercise clubs for health on the clubs members and the community. A qualitative research method was
used to collect data from 6 exercise clubs, in the research area by employing the following methods:
in-depth interview, focus group discussion, participatory observation, and triangulation data. The main
sources of data were community leaders, group representatives, and the network organizations that
supported the activity of exercise clubs for health. A content analysis was done in accordance with the
research questions used. The results of the study were as follows:
1. There were 4 exercise clubs out of the total of 6 exercise clubs that were found to be of
good quality but without of a guarantee of security and sustainability. This finding was due to the fact
that the clubs had been developed by only a few aerobic dancing leaders or a few members who joined
the aerobic dance regularly. The clubs had not been developed by the management of the network and
the club members.
2. There were 5 obstacles to the development process of exercise clubs. There were: the
lack of devotion among public health personnel, the limitation of knowledge of public health
personnel in regard to promoting development process of the clubs; the program achievement was
focused on quantity rather than quality, the turnover of public health personnel who were responsible
for the exercise clubs, and having the public personnel be the leaders and manage all activities
in exercise clubs.
3. The development program of the exerxise clubs received extensive support and
monitoring from public health personnel only during the government campaign period. This situation
caused negative effects on the sustainable activity of the exercise clubs.
4. The activity of the exercise clubs produced 5 benefits for the club members: physical, mental
and emotional, social, health knowledge, and exercise skills. The two impacts of exercise clubs on the
community were the development of exercise norms and the recommendation of alternative types of
exercise to the people.
5. There were 2 types of network that related to the development of exercise clubs: 1)
supportive networks which refered to individuals, groups and organizations who provided support in
7 aspects: budget, dancing knowledge and skills, the establishment of exercise clubs, directing,
coordinating, activity participation, moral and psychological support; and 2) operational networks which
refered to relationships and inside networking among all the exercise clubs. These relationships were loose
and usually depending on the support received from public health personnel.
The suggestions based on the lessons learned from this study are: firstly, a focus should be
placed on the modification of concepts and paradigm in strengthening the exercise clubs by
developing stronger leaders and a more effective management system. Secondaly, a focus should be
placed on having the network participate in activities and developing the exercise clubs.