A Longitudinal Study of Recreational Sport Participation and Constraints. Issue 1 (April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spivey, Laura M.; Hritz, Nancy M.
• Is Part Of: Recreational sports journal. Volume 37:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2013-04
• Subjects: college students -- physical activity -- healthy lifestyle -- attitudes toward fitness; Intramural sports -- Periodicals; Intramural sports -- United States -- Periodicals; College sports -- Periodicals; College sports -- United States -- Periodicals; 796.043
• DOI: 10.1123/rsj.37.1.14
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1558-8661

Abstract

Knowledge of what encourages and limits recreational experiences is essential to an overall healthy lifestyle and promotion of long term wellness. Findings from 1857 surveys in this longitudinal study suggest students enrolled at a midsize, Southeastern university experience limited constraints to their recreational sport participation, and identify with many positive benefits of regular recreational sport and fitness participation. Most respondents identified highly with the benefits of recreational sports participation. Notably, they identified with improved fitness (73.3%), development of healthy lifestyle habits (66.4%), enhanced mood (71.5%), and improved attitude toward fitness (69.4%). The respondents did not identify with many limits, or constraints to participation with the exception of time. 54% agreed or strongly agreed they did not have enough time to participate. Only 12% agreed or strongly agreed that their participation was due to lack of a support network.