An Investigation of the Relationship between Constraining Factors and Student's Participation in Extracurricular Sport Activities at Military University with Mixed Research Method

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between constraining factors and students’ participation in extracurricular sport activities at Military University. The method of the present study was mixed and of an explanatory type. Questionnaire and interview were two techniques used for data collection. The results showed that about %66 of students said that they did not participate in any physical activity. 3 factors of time, skill and personal interest were more preventive respectively among the students. Also, there was a significant relationship between shortage of time, personal interest, economic status, level of physical fitness and public relations with level of sport participation of students, but there was no relationship between facilities, quality of management and skill with level of sport participation. In addition, the results of the qualitative research identified two categories: individual and organizational factors that played a role in the absence of students from extracurricular sport activities. A large part of the obtained results of quantitative research was approved by the results of qualitative research. In addition, their cause was investigated in an accurate, in-depth and more practical way. Since the participation in sport activities will promote health, the officials are recommended to plan to overcome these obstacles and to pave the way for more participation of students.