The investigation of the factors affecting the participation to free ti̇mes physical activities of the university students: example of Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of factors that affects the participation to free time physical activities of the university students in terms of several variables. The sample of this study was composed of 627 undergraduate students at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University. Research data were obtained through participation on the internet. Datas were collected via "Middle East Technical University students, academic and administrative staff in their free time" scale developed by Özbey (1994). According to the findings of the study, 62.4% of the participants participated in physical activities in their free time and had higher scores in time sub-dimension and lower scores in family pressure-anxiety sub-dimension. According to the results of the research, a significant and positive relationship was found between the age and time subscale of university students in the sample group, negative and low level of awareness sub-dimension and negative and high level between skill and talent sub-dimension. When the results of the research are evaluated in general, students have statistically significant differences in participating free time physical activities in terms of age, income level, faculty, class, participation time, type of participation and type of participation. 'Students studying in the social sciences' among the faculty groups, 'preparatory and first-class students' among the class groups, "low-income students" among the income level, 'students participating in individual activities' according to attendance level, 'students participating with their friends' within the participation type, 'students participating at weekends' within the participation time were the groups which make up the difference. It was concluded that the adaptation process of the new students to the university, the intensity of the courses, the vocational and future concerns of the students, the insufficiency of the activities and facilities, and the limitation of the time periods of use of the facilities affected the participation of the students to the physical activities in their free time.