Identifying the reasons behind participation patterns in first year sport students, in Cardiff Metropolitan University

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the reasons behind participation patterns in first year sport students, in Cardiff Metropolitan University. A mixed method approach was used to collect the relevant data; questionnaires (quantitative) were distributed in first year lectures, in which 273 were filled. Furthermore a focus group was used (qualitative) with four participants used to gather more in depth information about the issues. The results revealed that males participate more in sport, compared to females. Furthermore it was highlighted that males main motive for participation was for enjoyment and to progress while females was to keep fit and enjoyment. The results also illustrated that the main barrier for females is that their friends do not participate in sport, whereas for men the main barrier was loss of interest. This loss of interest could be related to the alcohol intake, as the results revealed males intake alcohol more frequently but also consume more per night. Additionally it was recognised that alcohol does have a negative effect on sport, but team sport participants go against this with consuming the highest alcohol intake and also frequency of intoxications. Finally it was identified that more time intensive programmes have a detrimental effect on sport, whereas the further away the distance from university, the more likely participants are too participate in sport.