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

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. ahead-of-print; no. ahead-of-print; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Wiedenman, Eric M., Kruse-Diehr, Aaron J., Bice, Matthew R., McDaniel, Justin, Wallace, Juliane P., Partridge, Julie A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 28.02.2023
• Subjects: Adolescence; physical activity; resilience; self-efficacy; sport participation; Adolescence; sport participation; resilience; self-efficacy; physical activity
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2177817

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.