Examining sport commitment and intentions to participate in intramural sports : application of the Sport Commitment Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour in a campus recreational sport setting
Author
Jess, Sarah.Keyword
Intramural sports--Psychological aspects.College sports--Canada.
Sports--Psychological aspects.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Fifty-six percent of Canadians, 20 years of age and older, are inactive (Canadian Community Health Survey, 200012001). Research has indicated that one of the most dramatic declines in population physical activity occurs between adolescence and young adulthood (Melina, 2001; Stephens, Jacobs, & White, 1985), a time when individuals this age are entering or attending college or university. Colleges and universities have generally been seen as environments where physical activity and sport can be promoted and accommodated as a result of the available resources and facilities (Archer, Probert, & Gagne, 1987; Suminski, Petosa, Utter, & Zhang, 2002). Intramural sports, one of the most common campus recreational sports options available for post-secondary students, enable students to participate in activities that are suited for different levels of ability and interest (Lewis, Jones, Lamke, & Dunn, 1998). While intramural sports can positively affect the physical activity levels and sport participation rates of post-secondary students, their true value lies in their ability to encourage sport participation after school ends and during the post-school lives of graduates (Forrester, Ross, Geary, & Hall, 2007). This study used the Sport Commitment Model (Scanlan et aI., 1993a) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1991) with post secondary intramural volleyball participants in an effort to examine students' commitment to intramural sport and 1 intentions to participate in intramural sports. More specifically, the research objectives of this study were to: (1.) test the Sport Commitment Model with a sample of postsecondary intramural sport participants(2.) determine the utility of the sixth construct, social support, in explaining the sport commitment of post-secondary intramural sport participants; (3.) determine if there are any significant differences in the six constructs of IV the SCM and sport commitment between: gender, level of competition (competitive A vs. B), and number of different intramural sports played; (4.) determine if there are any significant differences between sport commitment levels and constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intentions); (5.) determine the relationship between sport commitment and intention to continue participation in intramural volleyball, continue participating in intramurals and continuing participating in sport and physical activity after graduation; and (6.) determine if the level of sport commitment changes the relationship between the constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Of the 318 surveys distributed, there were 302 partiCipants who completed a usable survey from the sample of post-secondary intramural sport participants. There was a fairly even split of males and females; the average age of the students was twenty-one; 90% were undergraduate students; for approximately 25% of the students, volleyball was the only intramural sport they participated in at Brock and most were part of the volleyball competitive B division. Based on the post-secondary students responses, there are indications of intent to continue participation in sport and physical activity. The participation of the students is predominantly influenced by subjective norms, high sport commitment, and high sport enjoyment. This implies students expect, intend and want to 1 participate in intramurals in the future, they are very dedicated to playing on an intramural team and would be willing to do a lot to keep playing and students want to participate when they perceive their pursuits as enjoyable and fun, and it makes them happy. These are key areas that should be targeted and pursued by sport practitioners.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
The Experience of Iranian Women Inter-University Athletes with a Focus on Gender in SportKohandel, Kiana; Applied Health Sciences ProgramThis research explores the experiences of Iranian women athletes in inter-university sports, with a particular focus on gender. Utilizing a descriptive, narratively informed approach and the concept of the gender regime, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the gendered experiences of these athletes. The research addresses two primary questions: (1) What are the lived experiences of Iranian women athletes in inter-university sport? and (2) How do these athletes explore and navigate barriers, supports, and points of resistance in their sporting lives? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six current women student-athletes from Azad University, and thematic, narrative-informed analysis was used to analyze the data. This method enabled the identification of key themes within and across the participants' stories, highlighting their unique challenges and achievements. The study identified three major themes: Barriers, Norms, and Discrepancies; Resistance, Solidarity, and Support; and Personal Growth and Development. These themes reflect the experiences of Iranian women athletes in university sports, revealing the challenges they face due to inadequate facilities, cultural restrictions, and gender inequality, their acts of defiance and support systems that empower them, and the personal growth that arises from navigating these obstacles. Together, these themes provide a clear picture of the many struggles and successes of women athletes in a sports environment shaped by gender. Despite facing significant barriers, these athletes demonstrate resilience and adaptability, leveraging support networks and personal determination to pursue their athletic goals. The findings emphasize the importance of supportive environments and inclusive policies in promoting gender equity in sports. This research contributes to the broader discourse on gender and sport by providing valuable insights into the specific cultural and contextual factors affecting women athletes in Iran. It underscores the need for further comparative studies in different Muslim-majority countries to explore how varying cultural contexts influence women's experiences in sports. By addressing the unique challenges faced by women athletes in different regions, future research can inform policies and practices that enhance gender equity in sports globally.
-
Understanding the financial status of a group of high performance athletesHarman, Alanna.; Applied Health Sciences Program (Brock University, 2008-05-21)With the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games quickly approaching, there has been a heightened interest in the performance of Canadian athletes at international competitions (Duffy, 2007; Fidlin, 2005; Longley, 2006). Two significant documents outline Canada's goal to become the number one sporting nation at the 2010 Olympic Games, and improve Canada's performance at the 2008 Olympic Games: Own the Podium and Road to Excellence (Priestner Allinger & Allinger, 2004; Road to Excellence, 2006). These two documents represent heightened interest in the performance of our elite athletes, in conjunction with Canada's hosting status of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The requirements to train and compete at the international level have become more demanding both in terms of financial resources and time commitment. The need to financially assist athletes with their training and competition costs has been an important topic of debate over the past decades (Beamish & Borowy, 1987; Gatehouse, 2004; Macintosh, 1996; Munro, 1970; Owens, 2004). Two sources of fiinding for high performance athletes in Canada are the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) provided by the Federal Government and the Canadian Olympic Excellence Fund provided by the Canadian Olympic Committee. The importance of these fiinds for athletes has been discussed in various forums (Ekos, 1992, 1997, 2005; Priestner Allinger & Allinger, 2004; Thibault «& Babiak, 2005). However, alternative sources of funds for high performance athletes have never been the object of research. As such the purpose of this study was to describe a group of athlete applicants from the time period of November 2004 to April 2006, and to contextualize these applications within the development of the Charitable Fund for Athletes.
-
A critical examination of the involvement of Canadian high-performance athletes in the development of anti-doping policyJackson, Gregory R.; Applied Health Sciences Program (Brock University, 2006-05-21)The use of certain perfonnance enhancing substances and methods has been defined as a major ethical breach by parties involved in the governance of highperfonnance sport. As a result, elite athletes worldwide are subject to rules and regulations set out in international and national anti-doping policies. Existing literature on the development of policies such as the World Anti-Doping Code and The Canadian antiDoping Program suggests a sport system in which athletes are rarely meaningfully involved in policy development (Houlihan, 2004a). Additionally, it is suggested that this lack of involvement is reflective of a similar lack of involvement in other areas of governance concerning athletes' lives. The purpose ofthis thesis is to examine the history and current state of athletes' involvement in the anti-doping policy process in Canada's high-perfonnance sport system. It includes discussion and analysis of recently conducted interviews with those involved in the policy process as well as an analysis of relevant documents, including anti-doping policies. The findings demonstrate that Canadian athletes have not been significantly involved in the creation of recently developed antidoping policies and that a re-evaluation of current policies is necessary to more fully recognize the reality of athletes' lives in Canada's high-perfonnance sport system and their rights within that system.