Survey research investigating university students’ consciousness of human coexistence in sport activities

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Physical Education and Sport for Higher Education Vol. 21; pp. 81 - 94
• Main Authors: YOKOYAMA, Takeshi, SHIBATA, Hiroki, ISHII, Juro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Association of University Physical Eduation and Sports 2024; 公益社団法人 全国大学体育連合
• Subjects: lifelong sport; sport life; university sport; スポーツライフ; 大学スポーツ; 生涯スポーツ
• ISSN: 2434-7957
• DOI: 10.20723/jpeshe.21.0_81

Abstract The realization of a society in which people with diverse lifestyles can coexist and are mutually recognized has become a social issue in recent years. Sport is no exception, and the human coexistence in sporting activities has become an important issue in both research and policy. The purpose of this study was to clarify issues for the promotion of coexistence in sport among university students by clarifying respondents’ actual consciousness of this mindset in sport. This study was conducted through administering a questionnaire survey among university students to analyze their actual consciousness of coexistence in sport. A total of 7,614 university students participated, forming the subjects of the analysis. The analysis produced the following findings. First, university students had a high consciousness of playing sport with a variety of other people, as well as an individualistic consciousness of playing sport at their own pace. Second, the actual state of consciousness of human coexistence was analyzed from the perspective of gender differences. It transpired that differences existed in consciousness of this mindset in sport activities, depending on gender. Specifically, women had a higher consciousness of human coexistence when participating in sport activities. Third, it became clear that the consciousness of a mindset toward coexistence in sport differs depending on the characteristics of the organization. It was confirmed that university students had a consciousness of the need to play sport with a diverse range of other people. The results also revealed the necessity of reconsidering the university and sport activities as a concrete environment for this type of mindset in the future.