Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Sport practice and perceptions in university students: a mixed-methods study

Year 2020, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 1 - 15, 21.06.2020

Abstract

Based on the mixed-methods approach using Grounded Theory, the present study described French University students’ sport practice and explored their perceptions of sport and physical activity. A representative sample of 508 students completed a self-administered questionnaire and 27 of them were further individually interviewed. We analyzed frequency of sport, personal definition of sport versus physical activity or inactivity and health behaviors. We combined descriptive statistics of quantitative data from a tablet-based questionnaire with analysis of qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that 54.3% of students did not practice any sport, but 60.6% engaged in physical activities like walking or cycling. Students showed difficulties in distinguishing sport practice from physical activity. In conclusion, findings suggest considering perceptions and needs of sport and physical activity in young people when designing health promoting interventions. Such interventions should consider barriers and leverages to sport practice, such as the lack of time as well as students’ need for more sport activities and less workload.

References

  • Ainsworth, B. E., Leon, A. S., Richardson, M. T., Jacobs, D. R., & Paffenbarger, R. S. (1993). Accuracy of the college alumnus physical activity questionnaire. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 46(12). https://doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(93)90140-V
  • Armstrong, T., & Bull, F. (2006). Development of the World Health Organization Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Journal of Public Health, Vol. 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-006-0024-x
  • Australian Sport Commission. (2017). Addressing the decline in sport participation in secondary schools Findings from the Youth Participation Research Project. Retrieved from https://www.sportaus.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/678687/34896_Youth_participation_project-full_report_acc2.pdf
  • Bélanger, M., Gray-Donald, K., O’loughlin, J., Paradis, G., & Hanley, J. (2009). Influence of Weather Conditions and Season on Physical Activity in Adolescents. Annals of Epidemiology, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.12.008
  • Bull, F. (2018). More Active People for a Healthier World. Retrieved January 30, 2020, from WHO website: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/global-action-plan/gappa-slide-deck-for-public-use.pdf?sfvrsn=be0fa2fe_4
  • Creswell, J., & Clark, V. P. (2010). The foundations of mixed methods research. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research.
  • Dogra, S., MacIntosh, L., O’Neill, C., D’Silva, C., Shearer, H., Smith, K., & Côté, P. (2018). The association of physical activity with depression and stress among post-secondary school students: A systematic review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, Vol. 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2017.11.001
  • Eccles, J. S., & Harold, R. D. (1991). Gender differences in sport involvement: Applying the eccles’ expectancy-value model. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/10413209108406432
  • Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., & Payne, W. R. (2013). A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for adults: Informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-10-135
  • Eitle, T. M. N. (2005). Do gender and race matter? Explaining the relationship between sports participation and achievement. Sociological Spectrum, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/02732170590883997
  • Foley, G., & Timonen, V. (2015). Using grounded theory method to capture and analyze health care experiences. Health Services Research, 50(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12275
  • Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017). Discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. In Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203793206
  • Gómez-López, M., Gallegos, A. G., & Extremera, A. B. (2010). Perceived barriers by university students in the practice of physical activities. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9(3). i-Share. (n.d.). Internet-based Students’ Health Research Enterprise (i-Share). Retrieved March 3, 2020, from http://www.i-share.fr/
  • Irwin, J. D. (2007). The prevalence of physical activity maintenance in a sample of university students: A longitudinal study. Journal of American College Health, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.56.1.37-42
  • Kahn, E. B., Ramsey, L. T., Brownson, R. C., Heath, G. W., Howze, E. H., Powell, K. E., … Corso, P. (2002). The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol. 22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00434-8
  • Miller, K. E., & Hoffman, J. H. (2009). Mental well-being and sport-related identities in college students. Sociology of Sport Journal, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.26.2.335 ONAPS. (2012). Pratiques physiques et sportives. Retrieved from http://injep.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fr20_sport.pdf
  • Pène, P., & Touitou, Y. (2009). Sport et santé. Bulletin de l’Academie Nationale de Medecine, 193(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/s0001-4079(19)32592-0
  • Plotnikoff, R. C., Costigan, S. A., Williams, R. L., Hutchesson, M. J., Kennedy, S. G., Robards, S. L., … Germov, J. (2015). Effectiveness of interventions targeting physical activity, nutrition and healthy weight for university and college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Vol. 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0203-7
  • Rissanen, P. (1991). Health benefits of exercise and its cost-effectiveness. Sairaanhoitaja (Helsinki, Finland : 1991), (4).
  • Santé Publique France. (2017). Étude de santé sur l’environnement, la biosurveillance, l’activité physique et la nutrition (ESTEBAN 2014-2016). Retrieved from https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/determinants-de-sante/nutrition-et-activite-physique/documents/rapport-synthese/etude-de-sante-sur-l-environnement-la-biosurveillance-l-activite-physique-et-la-nutrition-esteban-2014-2016.-volet-nutrition.-chapitre-corpu
  • Skår, S., Sniehotta, F. F., Molloy, G. J., Prestwich, A., & Araújo-Soares, V. (2011). Do brief online planning interventions increase physical activity amongst university students? A randomised controlled trial. Psychology and Health, 26(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440903456877
  • Taliaferro, L. A., Rienzo, B. A., Pigg, R. M., Miller, M. D., & Dodd, V. J. (2009). Associations between physical activity and reduced rates of hopelessness, depression, and suicidal behavior among college students. Journal of American College Health, 57(4). https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.57.4.427-436
  • Thorlindsson, T., Vilhjalmsson, R., & Valgeirsson, G. (1990). Sport participation and perceived health status: A study of adolescents. Social Science and Medicine, 31(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(90)90090-F
  • World Health Organization. (2010). Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/leaflet-physical-activity-recommendations.pdf?ua=1

Sport practice and perceptions in university students: a mixed-methods study

Year 2020, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 1 - 15, 21.06.2020

Abstract

Based on the mixed-methods approach using Grounded Theory, the present study described French University students’ sport practice and explored their perceptions of sport and physical activity. A representative sample of 508 students completed a self-administered questionnaire and 27 of them were further individually interviewed. We analyzed frequency of sport, personal definition of sport versus physical activity or inactivity and health behaviors. We combined descriptive statistics of quantitative data from a tablet-based questionnaire with analysis of qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that 54.3% of students did not practice any sport, but 60.6% engaged in physical activities like walking or cycling. Students showed difficulties in distinguishing sport practice from physical activity. In conclusion, findings suggest considering perceptions and needs of sport and physical activity in young people when designing health promoting interventions. Such interventions should consider barriers and leverages to sport practice, such as the lack of time as well as students’ need for more sport activities and less workload.

References

  • Ainsworth, B. E., Leon, A. S., Richardson, M. T., Jacobs, D. R., & Paffenbarger, R. S. (1993). Accuracy of the college alumnus physical activity questionnaire. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 46(12). https://doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(93)90140-V
  • Armstrong, T., & Bull, F. (2006). Development of the World Health Organization Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Journal of Public Health, Vol. 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-006-0024-x
  • Australian Sport Commission. (2017). Addressing the decline in sport participation in secondary schools Findings from the Youth Participation Research Project. Retrieved from https://www.sportaus.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/678687/34896_Youth_participation_project-full_report_acc2.pdf
  • Bélanger, M., Gray-Donald, K., O’loughlin, J., Paradis, G., & Hanley, J. (2009). Influence of Weather Conditions and Season on Physical Activity in Adolescents. Annals of Epidemiology, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.12.008
  • Bull, F. (2018). More Active People for a Healthier World. Retrieved January 30, 2020, from WHO website: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/global-action-plan/gappa-slide-deck-for-public-use.pdf?sfvrsn=be0fa2fe_4
  • Creswell, J., & Clark, V. P. (2010). The foundations of mixed methods research. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research.
  • Dogra, S., MacIntosh, L., O’Neill, C., D’Silva, C., Shearer, H., Smith, K., & Côté, P. (2018). The association of physical activity with depression and stress among post-secondary school students: A systematic review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, Vol. 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2017.11.001
  • Eccles, J. S., & Harold, R. D. (1991). Gender differences in sport involvement: Applying the eccles’ expectancy-value model. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/10413209108406432
  • Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., & Payne, W. R. (2013). A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for adults: Informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-10-135
  • Eitle, T. M. N. (2005). Do gender and race matter? Explaining the relationship between sports participation and achievement. Sociological Spectrum, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/02732170590883997
  • Foley, G., & Timonen, V. (2015). Using grounded theory method to capture and analyze health care experiences. Health Services Research, 50(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12275
  • Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017). Discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. In Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203793206
  • Gómez-López, M., Gallegos, A. G., & Extremera, A. B. (2010). Perceived barriers by university students in the practice of physical activities. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9(3). i-Share. (n.d.). Internet-based Students’ Health Research Enterprise (i-Share). Retrieved March 3, 2020, from http://www.i-share.fr/
  • Irwin, J. D. (2007). The prevalence of physical activity maintenance in a sample of university students: A longitudinal study. Journal of American College Health, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.56.1.37-42
  • Kahn, E. B., Ramsey, L. T., Brownson, R. C., Heath, G. W., Howze, E. H., Powell, K. E., … Corso, P. (2002). The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol. 22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00434-8
  • Miller, K. E., & Hoffman, J. H. (2009). Mental well-being and sport-related identities in college students. Sociology of Sport Journal, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.26.2.335 ONAPS. (2012). Pratiques physiques et sportives. Retrieved from http://injep.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fr20_sport.pdf
  • Pène, P., & Touitou, Y. (2009). Sport et santé. Bulletin de l’Academie Nationale de Medecine, 193(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/s0001-4079(19)32592-0
  • Plotnikoff, R. C., Costigan, S. A., Williams, R. L., Hutchesson, M. J., Kennedy, S. G., Robards, S. L., … Germov, J. (2015). Effectiveness of interventions targeting physical activity, nutrition and healthy weight for university and college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Vol. 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0203-7
  • Rissanen, P. (1991). Health benefits of exercise and its cost-effectiveness. Sairaanhoitaja (Helsinki, Finland : 1991), (4).
  • Santé Publique France. (2017). Étude de santé sur l’environnement, la biosurveillance, l’activité physique et la nutrition (ESTEBAN 2014-2016). Retrieved from https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/determinants-de-sante/nutrition-et-activite-physique/documents/rapport-synthese/etude-de-sante-sur-l-environnement-la-biosurveillance-l-activite-physique-et-la-nutrition-esteban-2014-2016.-volet-nutrition.-chapitre-corpu
  • Skår, S., Sniehotta, F. F., Molloy, G. J., Prestwich, A., & Araújo-Soares, V. (2011). Do brief online planning interventions increase physical activity amongst university students? A randomised controlled trial. Psychology and Health, 26(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440903456877
  • Taliaferro, L. A., Rienzo, B. A., Pigg, R. M., Miller, M. D., & Dodd, V. J. (2009). Associations between physical activity and reduced rates of hopelessness, depression, and suicidal behavior among college students. Journal of American College Health, 57(4). https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.57.4.427-436
  • Thorlindsson, T., Vilhjalmsson, R., & Valgeirsson, G. (1990). Sport participation and perceived health status: A study of adolescents. Social Science and Medicine, 31(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(90)90090-F
  • World Health Organization. (2010). Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/leaflet-physical-activity-recommendations.pdf?ua=1
There are 24 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Other Fields of Education
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ilaria MONTAGNİ

Marine VİALEMARİNGE This is me

Christophe TZOURİO This is me 0000-0002-6517-2984

Publication Date June 21, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 2 Issue: 1

Cite

APA MONTAGNİ, I., VİALEMARİNGE, M., & TZOURİO, C. (2020). Sport practice and perceptions in university students: a mixed-methods study. Uluslararası Spor Bilimleri Öğrenci Çalışmaları, 2(1), 1-15.