Health Beliefs on Sportive Recreational Activities of University Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the health beliefs of university students regarding sportive recreational activities and the differentiation of these beliefs by various variables. 203 university students were included in the study, and the data were obtained by demographic questionnaire and "Health Beliefs Regarding Sportive Recreational Activities" scale which is developed by Ertuzun, Bodur & Karakucuk (2013). Descriptive statistics, independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variance ANOVA and post hoc tests were used to analyze the data. For this study, the internal consistency coefficient of HBSSRA was determined as .91. The participants' health belief scores regarding sportive recreational activities were above the average, the highest sub-dimension score was obtained in the perceived seriousness sub-dimension (3.91±0.93), and the lowest sub-dimension score was obtained in the self-efficacy sub-dimension (3.04±0.90). At the same time, it was determined that the participants' health beliefs about sportive recreational activities did not differ according to gender and perceptions of productive leisure, but their health beliefs about sportive recreational activities differed with income and daily leisure time duration. As a result, it was determined that the participants' health beliefs about sportive recreational activities were at an average level and differed according to certain variables. It is recommended that increasing the participation of students in sportive recreational activities and increasing the health gains they are likely to achieve in this way in parallel.