Participation Motivation in University Students Who Engage in Different Team Sports

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the motives for university students who engage in different team sports
mutually. The cross-sectional method was used in the study. The study sample consisted of 280 university students
from Dumlupinar University School of Physical Education and Sports. The participants were chosen according to
stratified random sampling method and participated in the study voluntarily. In the study in order to collect data
Turkish version of Gill and colleagues’ Sports Participation Questionnaire was used. In the evaluation of the data in
addition to descriptive statistical methods, MANOVA was used as the hypothesis test. According to MANOVA
results, there were significant differences between the motives for university students in achievement, physical
fitness, skills development and movement/being active factors. The findings of this study can assist intercollegiate
coaches and athletic administrators to understand the motivational patterns of university students for participating in
sports and allow them to develop strategies which can prevent students from quitting sports participation and
exercise.