The role of sports clubs in sports activity of students

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Exercise is a recognised means for improving quality of life. In general, students perform less sports activity than previous generations. In contrast, however, children’s participation in competitive sports has increased. The present study therefore aimed to assess how many students participate in sports clubs, how active in sports student (non)members are, and what actual effect sports clubs have on enabling sufficient sports activity. Methods: Students (N=213) in the first year of university studies (19-20 years) were recruited for a study approved by the Slovenian Ethics Committee. They answered a questionnaire on their sports club membership and on their sports activity during organised sports training and/or in their free time. Results were statistically analysed and compared to our previous results obtained from primary and secondary school children (1). Results: Only 16% of students participate in sports clubs, which is less (p<0.001) than in primary and secondary school children. The average (SD) sports activity of student sports-club members is 11.7 (6.8) h/week, with students non-members being significantly (p<0.001) less active with 4.6 (3.0) h/week. Participation in sports clubs is lower (p<0.001) in female (15%) than in male (21%) students, which is similar to children. Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate that sports clubs in Slovenia are important for promoting sufficient sports activity. Namely, most of the student members participate in sports activity more than the recommended 1 h/day and are more than two times more active than their peers. Females, however, participate less often in sports clubs, which calls for further attention.