The role of sport participation on exercise self-efficacy, psychological need satisfaction, and resilience among college freshmen

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between high school sport participation among university students and whether previous sports participation was associated with current levels of exercise-self efficacy, resilience, and psychological need satisfaction physical activity behaviors. Participants: College freshmen (n = 152) in the United States responded to an electronic survey sent out by their university. Methods: Participants completed a set of questionnaires assessing resilience, psychological need satisfaction in exercise, self-efficacy, and current PA. Results: Analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, independent samples t-tests, and ordinary least squares regression modeling were used. Total PA and having met moderate PA guidelines were both associated with exercise SE and PNSE. HS GPA, total PA, and being a college athlete were associated with both resilience and exercise SE. Conclusions: Sport participation may serve as an effective method for students to develop exercise SE, resilience, and PNSE. The development of these skills may support lifelong PA behaviors.

Keywords:

• Adolescence
• physical activity
• resilience
• self-efficacy
• sport participation

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Southern Illinois University.