The role of sports in promoting a healthy lifestyle among university students
Keywords:
Sports Participation, Healthy Lifestyle, Physical Health, Psychological Well-Being, University StudentsAbstract
This study examined the role of sports in promoting a healthy lifestyle among university students. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 100 students enrolled in BS programs at universities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with two sections: demographic information and items measuring physical health, psychological well-being, social development, and academic performance using a five-point Likert scale. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to summarize the data, while independent sample t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis were applied to examine differences and relationships among variables. The descriptive results indicated that sports participation improved all study variables. Social development recorded the highest mean score (M = 3.92, SD = 0.65), followed by physical health (M = 3.85, SD = 0.62) and psychological well-being (M = 3.78, SD = 0.58). Academic performance showed the lowest mean score (M = 3.70, SD = 0.60) but still reflected a positive association with sports participation. The independent sample t-test results revealed statistically significant differences between sports participants and non-participants across all variables. Sports participants reported better physical health (M = 4.12) compared to non-participants (M = 3.40), p < 0.001). Similarly, participants showed higher psychological well-being (M = 4.05), p < 0.001) and social development (M = 4.20), p < 0.001). Academic performance was also higher among sports participants (M = 3.88), p < 0.004). Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships among all variables at the 0.01 level of significance. Physical health was strongly correlated with psychological well-being (r = .62) and social development (r = .58). Additionally, social development showed a strong association with academic performance (r = .60), and psychological well-being was positively related to academic performance (r = .54). The findings confirm that sports participation significantly contributes to improved physical health, psychological well-being, social development, and academic performance among university students, highlighting the importance of sports in promoting a healthy lifestyle at the university level.
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