DETERMINANTS OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF OF UNIVERSITIES IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined determinants of recreational activity participation among academic staff of universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. The objective was to assess how socio-demographic characteristics, economic conditions, recreational facilities, workload/time constraints and social-psychological factors shape participation. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised academic staff in selected universities, while 384 respondents were selected using the Taro Yamane sample-size procedure and simple random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed with frequencies, percentages, mean scores and chi-square goodness-of-fit tests at the 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that socio-demographic factors, low income, high facility cost, facility availability and accessibility, workload, lack of time, peer influence, self-interest and attitude significantly influenced participation. Workload/time constraints produced the highest mean rating (M = 3.38), followed by facility-related factors (M = 3.31) and economic factors (M = 3.28). The study contributes university-based evidence on staff recreation, wellbeing and productivity in a Nigerian context. It recommends facility improvement, subsidised wellness programmes, workload-sensitive scheduling and institutional recreation policies.