Personality Attributes of Undergraduate as Determinant of Sport Participation among Student Athletes of University of Benin

This study examines personality attributes as determinants of sports participation among student-athletes at the University of Benin, Edo State. The study aimed to explore how motivation, age, physique, marital status, and gender influence students' engagement in sports. To achieve this objective, a descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a population of 384 student-athletes, out of which 192 participants were selected through a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-constructed questionnaire, validated by experts in the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science. The results revealed that personality attributes significantly influence sports participation among student-athletes. The study found that motivation (both intrinsic and extrinsic) plays a crucial role in student-athletes' engagement, while marital status significantly affects the level of participation. Additionally, the study established that age, physique, and gender also contribute to determining participation levels in sports. Student-athletes who receive financial and non-financial rewards tend to be more committed to training and competitions. Furthermore, the study highlighted that early exposure to sports positively influences long-term participation and performance. Based on the findings, it is recommended that university authorities provide adequate sports infrastructure, encourage female participation, and implement motivation strategies, including scholarships and incentives, to enhance sports engagement. Additionally, further research should explore gender-based barriers in sports participation and the impact of personality traits on sports performance across multiple universities. This study underscores the importance of understanding personality attributes in shaping sports participation, offering valuable insights for sports administrators, policymakers, and university stakeholders aiming to promote sports development among students.