An Exploratory Study of Asian International Students' Campus Recreational Sports Participation

This exploratory study investigated the use of Campus Recreation services by Asian international students enrolled in a Midwestern university. The study examined factors affecting their levels of participation and perceived benefits from engaging in recreational sports. Results demonstrated that intramural sports and extramural sports were not popular among Asian international students, while they preferred informal sports and instructional sports. Significant differences of campus recreational sports types existed between gender and class standings among Asian international students. Asian international students reported more physical benefits than social benefits from participating in campus recreational sports. Finally, culture was not a barrier for Asian international students to participate in recreational sports. The Department of Campus Recreational Sports and the Office of International Service could promote different recreational sports programs more effectively to different target groups. Obtaining physical benefits was more effective than obtaining social benefits to attract Asian international students to participate in campus recreational sports.