Over the past three academic years, the University of Rijeka’s Sports Centre has conducted an extensive study on students’ sports habits in order to better understand their interests and level of participation in recreational activities. A total of 8,749 students took part in the research, and the collected data serves as a foundation for shaping future sports programs that are free of charge for all students of the University of Rijeka.
The results gathered over the period from the 2021/2022 to 2023/2024 academic years show that interest in traditional team sports such as football, basketball, and volleyball remains stable, while interest in individual and recreational activities is growing. In particular, recreational fitness, hiking, and outdoor activities are becoming increasingly popular. The study also highlights certain differences in interests between male and female students. While male students more frequently participate in competitive sports such as futsal and basketball, female students are increasingly choosing activities such as pilates, yoga, and other forms of recreational exercise.
The data also indicates an important connection between physical activity and mental health. Students who exercise regularly report fewer symptoms of stress, anxiety, and irritability, while inactive students are more likely to experience negative emotional states. For this reason, sports programs play an important role in student life, both as a form of recreation and as a means of preserving physical and mental well-being.
The importance of sports activities for students is further confirmed by high participation during the summer semester, when more than 2,000 students took part in various forms of training and competitions. Training sessions were held at multiple locations across the city, including the Trsat Campus, the Faculty of Maritime Studies, the School of Trade and Fashion Design, the “Mladost” hall, and the Military Playground. Students were able to choose from a variety of activities such as pilates, running, bowling, bodyweight training, and team sports.
The programs are implemented within the UniSport Health initiative, which aims to provide students with free recreational sports programs and encourage regular physical activity, the development of healthy habits, and better coping with everyday stress.
