SPORT AND SOCIETY

Interdisciplinary Journal of Physical Education and Sports

Volume 21, Issue 1 (2021)

https://doi.org/10.36836/2021/2/22

A comparative study of students' motivation to practice sports

activities in their leisure time
Mihai Olănescua
a
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, St. Memorandumului 28, Cluj-Napoca, 400114, Romania

Abstract

Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, which helps to prevent many chronic diseases. Despite the
knowledge about the benefits of playing sports and the problems related to lack of exercise, very few people practice physical
activity regularly.
The present study is part of an extensive research of students’ motivation from Technical University of Cluj-Napoca to
practice physical sports activities.
The aim of the research was to analyze how students are motivated to practice sports, to remain active and healthy, in a
period of their lives when they may be at the beginning of their career, and are tempted to reduce the frequency and the time
allocated to these activities.
In order to identify the differences and trends among students, in terms of motivation and behavior to practice physical
sports activities in their leisure time, we conducted an investigation based on sociological surveys, comparing the results with
those obtained in a similar study, which was done also on the student population of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca,
eight years ago.
The survey results show that only about 30% of respondents comply with World Health Organization recommendations
for physical activity, specifically do at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3-5 times a week. Both the logistic regression
and the association test show that male students practice more sports compared to female students. The most important predictor
of the probability that students will practice sports more often in the future is the previous participation in such activities.

Keywords: physical activity, sport, student, leisure time, motivation

1. Introduction

Practicing of physical activities and sports is an important part of a healthy lifestyle that contributes to
psychosocial health, functional ability and better quality of life (Eime et. al., 2013; Loyen et al., 2016; Biddle et al.,
2019; Peráčková J. & Peráček P., 2019).
Physical inactivity is escalating in all age groups worldwide, especially among adolescents (Durstine et. al.,
2013; WHO, 2018), being a strong predictor of overweight, obesity and other chronic diseases (Ng et al., 2014,
Booth et al., 2017; Pinto et al., 2017).
According to World Health Organization, 1 in 4 adults is not active enough and more than 80% of the
world’s adolescent population is insufficiently physically active, 3 in 4 adolescents do not currently meet the global
recommendations for physical activity (WHO, 2018). The situation in the European Union is no better, almost half
of Europeans never exercise or play sports, and the proportion has gradually increased in recent years. According to
the European Commission, in Romania, physical activity is almost nonexistent, and the number of people who do
not practice any sports is constantly growing. Specifically, 51% of Romanians never get involved in physical
activities, while 69% of Romanian respondents to the Eurobarometer claim that they have not performed any
vigorous physical activity in the last week (Special Eurobarometer 472).
Due to the dramatic decrease in the number of people who practice physical activities and sports among the
general population and student population in particular, more attention should be paid to finding solutions that can
motivate them to increase the time allocated to these activities.
 SPORT AND SOCIETY
Interdisciplinary Journal of Physical Education and Sports
Volume 21, Issue 1 (2021)

Material and method

The participants of the experiment

The research conducted in 2012 involved 880 students, enrolled in the academic year 2011-2012, at one of
the following faculties of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca: Architecture and Urban Planning; Automation
and Computer Science; Civil Engineering; Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology; Materials
and Environmental Engineering.
The research conducted in 2020 involved 594 students, enrolled in the academic year 2019-2020, at one of
the following faculties of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca: Architecture and Urban Planning; Automation
and Computer Science; Civil Engineering; Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology; Materials
and Environmental Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering;
Materials and Environmental Engineering; Machine Building, respectively, Faculty of Building Services
Engineering.
Sampling was conducted at these faculties to include in this study both students whose curriculum is very
busy and students whose curriculum is less loaded.
If in the year 2012 the sampling was performed using the nominal lists of the catalogs and the selection was
made randomly, by the 10 step method, choosing every tenth student in the nominal list and following that the
proportion of subjects in the sample by gender corresponds to the proportion by gender of the students enrolled in
each faculty, specialization, division, year of study, in the year 2020, this was no longer possible due to the new
rules imposed by GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). To increase the participation rate in the study, we
asked the students who received by e-mail the link with the questionnaire to send it to other colleagues, with the
request to complete it.
Research population:
It is represented by all students who attended full-time courses at one of the faculties of the Technical
University of Cluj-Napoca, in the academic years 2011-2012 and 2019-2020, regardless of the year of study, age,
department and specialization.
Using a quantitative research method, namely the technique of administering questionnaires through
sociological survey, we conducted two studies with students from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, the first
one in the academic year 2011 - 2012, with 880 participants and the second one in the academic year 2019 - 2020,
with 594 participants.
The purpose of the research
In this paper work we tried to analyze the possible similarities and/or differences regarding the university
students behavior of practicing various sports activities in their leisure time, comparing the data obtained from an
extensive research conducted at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, in the academic year 2011-2012
(Olănescu, 2013), with those obtained following the application of the same questionnaire to students enrolled at the
same university, in the academic year 2019-2020.
Analysis of the way in which students enrolled at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca are motivated to
practice physical activities and sports.
Hypotheses
- the extent to which students consider that they have enough free time determines them to relate differently
to the practice of sports activities;
- finding clubs/facilities that are suitable for students influences the frequency with which they practice
sports activities;
- present and previous experiences of practicing sports activities, as well as demographic factors (age and
gender), influence the intention of students to practice such activities more often in the future;
- there are significant differences between students who attended the courses of the Technical University of
Cluj-Napoca in the academic year 2011-2012 and those who attended the university courses in the academic year
2019-2020 in terms of their preferences for practicing sports activities.
Objectives
- identifying the way in which students relate to the practice of sports activities in their leisure time;
- determining how facilities, both within the university and outside of it, help them to practice sports
activities more often;
- identifying the main predictors that could motivate students to practice sports more often in the future;
 SPORT AND SOCIETY
Interdisciplinary Journal of Physical Education and Sports
Volume 21, Issue 1 (2021)

- identifying the differences that may exist between students who were enrolled at the Technical University
of Cluj-Napoca in the academic year 2011-2012 and those who were enrolled in the academic year 2019-2020,
regarding the practice of sports activities in their leisure time.
Methods, techniques and research tools
In this research we will use the quantitative research method and the technique of administration of
questionnaires through sociological inquiry.
Research tools
The questionnaire used as a research tool; for its development we adopted and adapted the research
instrument used in the study "Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity: Public Participation, barriers and attitudes"
Lorraine Murray, Ipsos Mori, Scottish Executive Social Research, October 2006.

Findings

The quantitative data collected in 2020 were analyzed and compared statistically with the results of the
research conducted in 2012. The statistical analysis data were calculated using the SPSS data analysis tool.
Descriptive statistics on respondents in the sample highlights the following:
The gender distribution of the sample shows that, in the academic year 2011-2012, out of a total of 880
students who participated in this study, 601 (68.3%) were male students and 279 (31.7%) were female students.
Even if the participation rate by gender is not proportionally equal, the participation is proportional to the
distribution by gender of the researched population, because, out of a total number of 8913 students enrolled at the
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca in the academic year 2011-2012, 6471 (72.6%) were male students and 2172
(27.4%) were female students.
In the academic year 2019-2020, out of a total number of 10504 students enrolled, male students were 7723
(73.5%) and female students were 3281 (26.5%).
The research conducted in 2020 was attended by 330 (55.5%) male students and 246 (45.5%) female students
out of a total of 594 respondents.
Regarding the status of respondents on the labor market, only 75 out of a total of 880 students surveyed in
2012 and 81 out of a total of 594 students surveyed in 2020 stated that they have a job, compared to 805 of them,
who represents over 90% in 2012, respectively 513, almost 87% in 2020, who stated that they do not work.
The distribution of respondents by area of residence shows that most of them, namely 508 (57.7%) of the
students surveyed in the academic year 2011-2012 come from a big city, compared to 221 (38.7%) who have
declared the same in the academic year 2019-2020.
The number of those who stated in 2012 that they grew up in a small town 231 (26.2%) increased slightly in
2020 to 190 (33.3%).
The number of students who stated that they come from a village also increased slightly in 2020, from 138
(15.6%) to 166 (29.1%).
As such, these figures show a greater access of young people from rural areas and small towns to higher
education in the academic year 2019-2020.
The most relevant results of the study are presented in the tables below:
Table 1. Relationship between the extent to which students consider that they have enough free time and the
possibility to declare that they practice sports in their leisure time
Do you have enough free time?
No Yes
Yes 53.7% 65.5%
2012
Taking part in No 46.3% 34.5%
sport, exercise or Total 100 % 100 %
physical activity in Yes 50.3% 59.2%
2020
leisure time No 49.7% 40.8%
Total 100 % 100 %

Analyzing the residual values in the table above, we can see that the number of students who practice
physical activities and sports in their leisure time is slightly lower among those surveyed in 2020, although they
consider that they have enough free time. This shows a declining trend in the behavior of practicing sports among
students in the eight years between the two studies.
 SPORT AND SOCIETY
Interdisciplinary Journal of Physical Education and Sports
Volume 21, Issue 1 (2021)

Table 2. Statistical significance of the association between the extent to which students consider that they
have enough free time and the possibility for them to declare that they practice sports activities in their leisure time
2012 2020
Chi-Square 12.789 2.320
Phi 0.121 0.089
Cramer’s V 0.121 0.089
P 0.01 0.02

Hypothesis
Does the possibility of Technical University of Cluj-Napoca students practicing sports activities in their
leisure time depend on the extent in which they consider that they have enough free time? Specifically, we expect
that students who believe they have enough free time will be those who practice sports in their leisure time.
The statistical results analyzed Chi-square as well as the PHI and Cramer's V values are statistically
significant and indicate the existence of a modest association between the two variables.
Thus, we can say, with the same probability of at least 98% that this association exists among the
population, not only in the sample.
In the following we presented the analysis of the statistical modeling of the probability like students from
the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca to participate frequently in physical sports activities with the help of
logistic regression.

Table 3. Significance of logistic regression regarding the statistical determinants of the probability that
students to participate frequently in physical sports activities:
2012 2020
Nagelkerke R Square 0.235 0.238

Table 4. The results of the logistic regression regarding the statistical determinants of the probability that
students will practice sports activities more often.
2012 2020
Dependent variable
Sig. Exp(B) Sig. Exp(B)
The extent to which they consider they have enough free time 0.019 1.518 0.657 0.866
Free time per week estimated in hours 0.997 1.000 0.965 1.000
If in the past they practiced sports less often 0.000 5.488 0.000 4.793
If in the past they practiced sports more often 0.032 1.452 0.062 0.379
The degree of satisfaction with the conditions in which they can
0.169 1.327 0.005 2.748
practice sports activities in their free time
Degree of satisfaction with the way physical education classes take
0.398 1.189 0.869 1.052
place at university
The degree of satisfaction with the facilities of the gym in which
0.890 0.968 0.297 0.666
they carry out their physical education classes
Labor market status 0.053 0.577 0.042 2.377
Area of residence (rural/urban) 0.076 0.679 0.623 1.185
Gender 0.000 2.176 0.001 2.679
Age 0.718 0.970 0.789 1.016
Year of study 0.178 1.415 0.584 1.205
Constant 0.727 0.520 0.943 0.889

The results of the logistic regression (statistical modeling of the probability of frequently practicing
physical activities and sports) indicate that, after checking: the extent to which students consider that they have
enough free time, the estimated free time per week in hours, if in the past they practiced less often sports activities,
if they have practiced sports activities more often in the past, the degree of satisfaction with the conditions in which
they can practice sports activities in their free time, the degree of satisfaction with the way physical education
classes are conducted at university, the degree of satisfaction with the amenities of the sports hall where they carry
out their physical education classes, their status on the labor market, the area of residence (rural/urban), sex, age,
year of study, the probability that students who in the past participated less often in physical activities and sports to
 SPORT AND SOCIETY
Interdisciplinary Journal of Physical Education and Sports
Volume 21, Issue 1 (2021)

frequently practice such activities, according to the results from the academic year 2011 - 2012, it is more than 5
times higher (because exp (b) = 5,488), and in the academic year 2019 - 2020, it is more than 4 time higher (because
exp (b) = 4,793).
The probability that students who practice sports more frequently to be male is 2 times higher in 2012
(because exp (b) = 2,176), and according to the study conducted in 2020 the probability becomes almost 3 times
higher (because exp (b) = 2,679). This shows a clear upward trend from year to year in the percentage of female
students who have a sedentary life and practice less and less sports.
According to the study conducted in 2012, the following two predictors are also important: the increased
frequency with which students have practiced sports in the past (because exp (b) = 1,452) and the extent to which
students consider that they have enough free time (because ex (b) = 1.518).
In 2020, another important predictor proves to be the degree of satisfaction with the conditions in which
students can practice physical activities and sports in their leisure time, because ex (b) = 2,748.
The adequacy of the logistic regression model is acceptable (Nagelkerke R Square = 0.235 in 2012 and
0.238 in 2020) and the strongest predictors of the frequency with which students currently practice physical
activities and sports are: the low frequency with which they practiced in the past such activities and whether they are
male.
It confirms that in terms of the students investigated, among the personal factors associated with
participation in physical activities and sports, past experience through lower participation in physical activities
sports to be the most important predictor of cognitive and personality variables, where self-efficacy and self-
motivation are influenced by past experiences.
The possibility to benefit from good equipment and facilities is another important predictor that influences
the frequency of students’ participation in physical activities and sports in their leisure time.
Among the demographic variables, the male gender proves to be the most influential predictor.

Discussions

Students who have practiced physical activities and sports frequently in the past maintain their interest in
sports because of their positive experiences, but it is obvious that, if they do not practice sport in a professional
manner, they will no longer have the opportunity to increase the time allocated to these activities, largely due to
crowded university schedule.
These data show that the extent to which students consider that they have enough free time matters much
more than the available free time budget.
It turns out that it is important the degree of satisfaction with the conditions and facilities where they can
carry out physical activities and sports during their leisure time; this is partly due to the investments made in this
regard by local authorities in creating spaces dedicated to the practicing of sports (sports fields, sports facilities,
sports and leisure bases).
However, the survey results show that over 70% of students of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca do
not comply with the World Health Organization recommendations on physical activity, namely they do not do at
least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3-5 times a week. Like other studies from different countries, our study
shows that the practice of sports and physical activities decreases with age. Frequency depends on the year of study,
so the first year of study students said they often practice a sport, which is due to the compulsory Physical Education
curriculum. This reduction in practicing sports and physical activities is present among both boys and girls, but the
percentage of those who practice sports and physical activity at least 3-5 times a week is higher among male
students. The results of the study indicate a positive correlation between the frequency and duration of involvement
in physical activities. On the other hand, students who do more sport are those who intend to do more sport than they
do now in the future as well. The distribution by gender revealed that male students are more active as far as the
practice of sports is concerned and are those who go easier beyond their discontent and agree to play sports on a
regular basis, even if the conditions in which they can do this is not the most satisfactory. Both now and in the past,
female students were less involved in sport activities, considering sport activities more suitable for boys. Male
students are those who practice more sport, as highlighted by the logistic regression and association test.
The results obtained in the present study are consistent with previous studies conducted in Romania on
student participation in sports and exercise, which show that there are differences in the level and type of
involvement depending on gender, concluding that sex students male are more likely to participate than students
(Leuciuc et al., 2020; Badicu, 2018).
 SPORT AND SOCIETY
Interdisciplinary Journal of Physical Education and Sports
Volume 21, Issue 1 (2021)

Previous participation in various physical activities and sport has proven to be the most important predictor
of the likelihood for students to practice more often such activities in the future.

Conclusions

We must support children and young people to acquire and implement the abilities and the skills necessary
for practicing sports throughout their lives. From the early years up to their graduation, all those involved in the
education of younger generations (parents, educators, teachers, coaches) must be concerned to form and develop
their skills of independent practice of various forms of physical activity and sports in their leisure time.
Given the low interest shown by university students in sports, especially for female students, it is
recommended to find motivating solutions, such as: organizing trips and sports competitions outside the faculty
program, creating spaces dedicated to sports activities, free access to sports facilities, creating teams for favorite
sports, offering a greater variety of sports and physical activities to make students feel included.

References

Badicu, G. (2018). Physical Activity and Sleep Quality in Students of the Faculty of Physical Education and
Sport of Braşov, Romania. Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 10(7), pages 1-10, July.
DOI: 10.3390/su10072410
Biddle, S. J., Ciaccioni, S., Thomas, G. & Vergeer, I. (2019). Physical activity and mental health in children
and adolescents: An updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42,
146-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.011
Booth, F. W., Roberts, C. K., Thyfault, J. P., Ruegsegger, G. N. & Toedebusch, R. G. (2017). Role of
inactivity in chronic diseases: evolutionary insight and pathophysiological mechanisms. Physiol. Rev. 97, 1351–
1402. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00019.2016
Durstine, J.L., Gordon, B., Wang, Z., Luo, X. (2013). Chronic disease and the link to physical activity. J.
Sport Health Sci., 2 (1) (2013), pp. 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2012.07.009
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 children and adolescents: Informing development of a
conceptual model of health through sport. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act. 2013; 10:98. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-
5868-10-98
European Opinion Research Group (2018). Special Eurobarometer 472 - Wave EB88.4 – TNS opinion &
social. Sport and physical activity, European Union, 2017, doi:10.2766/599562
http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion
Leuciuc F.V, Ghervan P, Popovici I.M, Benedek F, Lazar A.G, Pricop G. (2020). Social and Educational
Sustainability of the Physical Education of Romanian Students and the Impact on Their Physical Activity
Level. Sustainability. 2020; 12(21):9231. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219231
Loyen, A., Van Hecke, L., Verloigne, M. et al. (2016). Variation in population levels of physical activity in
European adults according to cross-European studies: a systematic literature review within DEDIPAC. Int J Behav
Nutr Phys Act 13, 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0398-2
Murray, L. (2006). Sport, exercise and physical activity: public participation, barriers and attitudes.
Edinburgh: Information and Analytical Services, Division, Scottish Executive Education Department.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ Resource/Doc/932/0041468.pdf.
Ng, M., Fleming, T., Robinson, M., Thomson, B., Graetz, N., & Margono, C., et al. (2014). Global, regional,
and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: A systematic analysis
for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet, 384(9945), 766–781. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60460-
8
Olănescu, M. (2013). Motivaţia studenţilor de a se implica în activităţi fizice sportive. Sesiunea Comunicări
Ştiinţifice cu participare internaţională: Motricitatea, componentă importantă în optimizarea performanţelor
umane, Universitatea Politehnică din Bucureşti, Bucureşti, 10 mai 2013, ISSN 1844-3923, pp 46-54
http://www.conferintaefs.pub.ro/Texte/Volum%20Conferinta%20DEFS%20UPB%202013.pdf
 SPORT AND SOCIETY
Interdisciplinary Journal of Physical Education and Sports
Volume 21, Issue 1 (2021)

Peráčková, J., Peráček, P. (2019). Sport for the Subjective Dimensions of Quality of Life [Online First],
IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.88209. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/sport-for-
the-subjective-dimensions-of-quality-of-life
Pinto, A.J., Roschel, H., de Sá Pinto, A.L., et al. (2017). Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior:
Overlooked risk factors in autoimmune rheumatic diseases? Autoimmunity Reviews. 2017 Jul;16(7):667-674.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2017.05.001
World Health Organization (2018). Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: More active people
for a healthier world. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheet/detail/physical-activity