Leisure constraints experienced by university students in Greece

• Published in: The sport journal Vol. 11; no. 1
• Main Authors: Drakou, Amalia, Tzetzis, George, Mamantzi, Kyriaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Sports Academy 22.12.2008
• Subjects: Behavior; College students; Curricula; Demographic aspects; Greece; Health aspects; Health promotion; Leisure; Physical education; Physical education and training; Universities and colleges; Greece
• ISSN: 1543-9518; 1543-9518

The aim of this study was (a) to investigate students' leisure constraints; (b) to identify students' profiles; and (c) to explore the effects of gender, residence, participation in physical activities, and health habits on the intensity of constraints experienced. Using the scale developed by Alexandris and Caroll (1997), it was observed that students' perceived their leisure activities to be constrained by, mainly, accessibility and facilities. Analyses of variance employing constraints as the dependent variables, with (a) residence before age 18 and (b) health habits as independent variables, showed, for the dimension "lack of company," some statistically significant differences between students born and raised in small cities and those born and raised in big cities. Furthermore, students from small cities reported significantly more constraints arising from lack of company during leisure activities. In contrast, in four of the seven constraint dimensions, students who paid much attention to their nutrition habits (i.e., who ate more healthily) perceived fewer constraints on leisure activities than did students paying no attention to nutrition. Providing leisure and sport education, inculcating positive attitudes about participation, might reduce students' experience of leisure constraints and should be developed as a strategic marketing effort to involve both private and public sectors, since it is undeniable that an active lifestyle is healthier than a sedentary lifestyle.