Understanding the Perception of student-Athletes Regarding the Potential of Sport in the Development of Life Skills

Abstract

It is generally believed that sports participation develops the life skills (self-confidence and leadership) of the participants. These life skills can be easily developed if the sports activities are provided according to the approach and interest of athletes. The researcher specifically examined the potential of sport in the development of selected life skills (i.e. Decision-making skills and interpersonal communication skills) among university athletes. An inductive thematic analysis led to the identification of two main themes. Firstly, it appears that different types of life skill experiences emanated from university sport participation. Results indicated that: participants used sports to develop decision-making and inter-personal communication as life skills. There is a dire need that general students
may ensure their sports participation to develop essential life skills, while athletes may maintain sports participation to maximize the life skills in their non-sports setting i-e academic endeavor, family, and community services