The current extracurricular sports' status of first-year students at Thai Nguyen University

This study assesses the current state of extracurricular sports among students in university by using conventional scientific research methods. The specific criteria to evaluate student participation in extracurricular sports include: (1) the level of student participation, as reflected in the number and frequency of engagement in sports activities; (2) students’ attitudes, motivations, and proactiveness in participating in extracurricular activities; (3) the content of extracurricular training, represented through the range of sports practiced; (4) the forms of sports training; and (5) the supporting conditions for sports activities, such as facilities, equipment, the number of sports clubs, and influencing factors. These criteria enable a comprehensive assessment of both the process and outcomes of extracurricular sports activities within the university environment. The research findings reveal that students have not yet developed a regular habit of engaging in extracurricular physical training. Their motivations for participation tend to be passive and lacked initiative. Students mainly participate in extracurricular physical activities through 3 primary forms: group practice, individual self-training, and participating in sports clubs. The most commonly practiced extracurricular sports among students are volleyball, badminton, football, and martial arts. The defects affecting the effectiveness of extracurricular physical training for first-year students at Thai Nguyen University are: inadequacy of facilities, lack of instructors, training contents and forms which are poor and failed to meet student demands.