Exploring the Interplay of Leisure Freedom, Satisfaction, and Participation Styles Among Turkish Sports Sciences Students

Understanding the dynamics of leisure experiences is essential for promoting well-being among university students, particularly those studying sports sciences. The study aimed to explore the predictive relationship between perceived freedom in leisure and leisure satisfaction among sports sciences students. It also examined whether perceived freedom and satisfaction differ significantly by gender, leisure participation types, and activity setting (indoor vs. outdoor). To this end, a total of 3192 students from various universities participated in the research. The data were analyzed using frequency distribution, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, linear regression, three-factor ANOVA, one-way MANOVA, and (3 × 2) MANOVA. As a result, the analysis revealed significant positive relationships between perceived freedom and leisure satisfaction. Perceived freedom strongly predicted leisure satisfaction, accounting for 42% of the variance. Gender-based comparisons showed that female students reported significantly higher levels of both perceived freedom and satisfaction. Students who engaged in active, group-based leisure activities, especially in outdoor settings, experienced the highest levels of freedom and satisfaction. Overall, a ctivities that are active, social, and conducted outdoors enhance students' perceived freedom and increase their leisure satisfaction.