The Impact of Sports Participation on College Students' Behavioural Patterns: A Study on Employee Well-being and Entrepreneurial Intentions

Abstract

Sports participation is a significant aspect of college life, contributing to physical health, social interactions, and personal development. While existing research has emphasised the physical benefits of sports, there is a pressing need to explore its broader impact on behavioural patterns, employee well-being, and entrepreneurial intentions among college students. This study aims to investigate the impact of sports participation on college students' behavioural patterns, employee well-being, and entrepreneurial intentions. The research seeks to understand how engagement in sports influences students' discipline, time management, teamwork, leadership qualities, job satisfaction, stress levels, and aspirations towards entrepreneurship. A qualitative approach adopted, utilising semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth insights from college students actively involved in sports. Purposive sampling employed to select participants based on age, gender, sports participation, academic field, and year of study. Thematic analysis used to identify key themes and patterns related to the impact of sports participation. The findings reveal that sports participation positively influences college students' behavioural patterns, enhancing discipline, time management, teamwork, leadership, and social interactions. Additionally, involvement in sports linked to higher levels of employee well-being, including job satisfaction and reduced stress. Sports participation also fosters entrepreneurial intentions by developing risk-taking, innovation, leadership, and goal-setting skills. This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the multifaceted benefits of sports participation. The findings hold practical implications for educational institutions, policymakers, and business sectors, emphasising the importance of promoting sports involvement to enhance student development, well-being, and entrepreneurial aspirations. The originality of the study lies in its comprehensive exploration of the interplay between sports participation and various outcomes, highlighting the value of integrating sports and wellness initiatives within educational settings.