Campus Recreation Worldwide: A Literature Review

Example of Sydney University in promoting their in campus fitness center

Abstract:

The percentage of adults who engage in regular leisure time physical activity is decreasing, causing an increase in risk for several health issues. Research indicates that the more physically active individuals are in their leisure time as adolescents and young adults, the more likely they are to remain active throughout the lifespan. The number of individuals entering the college or university setting has continued to increase over the past decade. Institutions of higher education are supporting the construction and management of large recreational facilities on-campuses for college students to use for leisure time physical activity behaviors. Many administrators are aware of the benefits of participation in leisure time physical activity among college students including: higher grades, less stress, better adjustment and higher persistence to graduation. Given the increase in popularity of comprehensive campus recreation programs and facilities, there is a need for theory based research to bridge the gap in assessing participation and developing intervention and educational materials to increase participation.

My Opinions

Kozechian et al from University of Tehran compiled a significant number of other researches about how the help from universities around the world in providing better facilities for sport and recreation facilitate the reduction of obesity statistic within young adults particularly college and university students. Added with psychological, ecological and social, participation of physical activities will be increase among young adults.

Based on Kilpatrick et al, 2005, physical activities engagement decline from high school and college, and the activities in college basically add up to more constraint for an individual to participate in physical activities. The priority of campus students changed to academic and family instead of exercise. Thus, a solution or alternative is necessary to combat the time constraint issue among campus students.

One of the logical alternative will be the campus or university provide the students with sport facilities. Additionally, provide the residents with fitness program, sports clubs, aerobics and dance will significantly increase the participant from students. Campus facilities directly can promote overall well-being of students, reduce the negative or destructive forms of play, encouraging academic learning and facilitate the campus or university goals to be a much productive institution. A lot of researches prove that sport facilities that provided by campus will ultimately bring a better campus experience and satisfaction and eventually enhance students’ learning, development and academic success.

Reference:

1.      Kozechian, H., Heidary, A., Saiah, A. and Heidary, M. (2012). Campus Recreation Worldwide: A Literature Review. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, [online] 02(04), pp.132-139. Available at: https://doaj.org/article/f151bb07c4b04281be2fac2a4a249123 [Accessed 31 Aug. 2016].

2.      Kilpatrick M, e. (2016). College students' motivation for physical activity: differentiating men's and women's motives for sport participation and exercise. - PubMed - NCBI. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16255320 [Accessed 31 Aug. 2016].