Institutional Based Reasons for Students Non-participation in Physical Activity and Sport Programs in the Kenyan Public Universities

Abstract

University environment offers numerous advantages and easy opportunities for improving students' participation in physical activity and sport. However, there are paucity of researches on the reasons for non-participation in the university physical activity and sport programs in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to establish the institutional based reasons for the students' non-participation in the universities' physical activity and sport programs. Cross-sectional survey design was used and data was collected through questionnaires from Sixty-three (33 males, and 30 females) students. Mean standard deviation and graphs respectively, were used to describe and present data. Findings showed that key reasons for non-participation in physical activity and sport programs in the university were inadequate sport facility 74.6%, overcrowded facility 73%, unorganized sport program 63.5%, lack of sport facility 58.7%, lack of sport variety 57.1%, inaccessible facility 49.2%, no coaches 47.6%, unfriendly time for sport 39.7%, unsafe sport equipment 38.1%, inappropriate behaviour of sport personnel 36.5% and 34.9% was due to unskilled sport personnel. Students' age, year and course of the study influenced non-participation of students in the universities' sport programs. Also, students' previous and current participation status confirmed students avoid universities' sport programs although they participate in the same elsewhere. Diversifying and professionalizing sport and aligning programs with academic schedules would attract students. TRA can be useful in sensitizing students on the benefits of sports. Similar studies with larger student population are necessary.