Personal Meaning: Attraction to Sports Participation

Abstract

The present study examined for adults the personal meaning of sport participation. The subjects, 50 women and 48 men, completed the Personal Meaning of Racquetball Participation questionnaire, on which they identified and ranked personal factors they associated with playing racquetball. Analysis indicated that subjects ranked enjoyment as the primary motive for participation. Men scored significantly higher than women on competition; however, women scored significantly higher than men on self-satisfaction, feedback, beauty in movement, and feeling together, χ² indicated association for both sexes of active participation and athletic ability. All subjects rated enjoyment and challenge as important. These data suggest racquetball is enjoyed by and has personal meaning for both sexes.

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