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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM62991
Volume:
10 |
5 |
May 2026
Pages:
1-7
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Department of Physical Education
IIMT University, Meerut
Department of Physical Education
IIMT University, Meerut
University students participate in recreational sports for a wide range of psychological, social, physical, and lifestyle-related reasons. Recreational sports provide students with opportunities to improve fitness, reduce stress, build friendships, maintain health, and experience enjoyment outside the formal academic environment. Unlike varsity or elite athletic participation, recreational sports are usually flexible, inclusive, and non-professional in nature. Because of this, students’ motivations for participating are often different from those of competitive athletes. Understanding these motivations is important for universities seeking to design programs that attract, retain, and support a broad student population. This descriptive study examined the motivational factors influencing participation in recreational sports among university students. The study focused on six major motivational factors: enjoyment, physical fitness, health maintenance, stress relief, social interaction, and competition. A descriptive survey design was used to collect data from 150 university students between the ages of 18 and 26. Participants were selected from five academic faculties: science, humanities, engineering, business, and arts. All respondents reported participating in recreational sports at least once per week during the previous semester. Recreational activities included intramural games, gym sessions, yoga, jogging groups, fitness classes, hiking clubs, and informal pick-up games. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the importance of each motivational factor. Respondents rated each factor using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1, meaning “Not important at all,” to 5, meaning “Very important.” Mean scores and standard deviations were calculated for each motivational category. The findings showed that enjoyment was the strongest motivational factor, with a mean score of 4.6. Physical fitness followed closely with a mean score of 4.5, while health maintenance received a mean score of 4.4. Stress relief was also highly rated at 4.3. Social interaction received a moderate rating of 4.0, while competition was the lowest-rated factor at 3.2. The results indicate that university students are primarily motivated by intrinsic enjoyment and personal well-being rather than competitive achievement. Students appear to value recreational sports as a way to have fun, stay healthy, manage stress, and maintain an active lifestyle. Competition was less important, suggesting that campus recreation programs should emphasize inclusion, flexibility, enjoyment, and wellness rather than performance-based ranking or rivalry. These findings provide practical guidance for campus recreation departments, student wellness offices, and university administrators who aim to improve student engagement, promote mental health, and create supportive recreational environments.
KEYWORDS
This descriptive study examined the motivational factors influencing participation in recreational sports among university students. The findings showed that enjoyment was the strongest motivation, followed by physical fitness, health maintenance, stress relief, social interaction, and competition. These results suggest that students are primarily motivated by intrinsic enjoyment and personal wellness rather than competitive achievement. The study highlights the value of recreational sports as part of university life. Recreational sports can help students stay active, manage stress, improve health, build confidence, and experience enjoyment outside the classroom. These benefits are especially important in a university environment where students often face academic pressure and lifestyle changes. For universities seeking to increase participation in campus recreation programs, the findings suggest that programs should prioritize inclusive, enjoyable, and wellness-oriented activities. Activities such as yoga, Zumba, hiking clubs, fitness challenges, casual intramurals, open recreation hours, and beginner-friendly sports sessions may attract students who are motivated by fun, fitness, and stress relief. Campus recreation departments should also recognize that competition is not the primary motivation for many students. While competitive leagues should still be available for students who enjoy them, universities should also provide non-competitive and low-pressure options. A balanced program can serve both students who enjoy competition and those who simply want to be active, healthy, and socially connected.
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Publication Date
5/9/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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