The role of past campus recreational sports participation in predicting students’ stress and competence during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract This pilot study predicted the association of pre-lockdown campus recreational sports (CRS) participation with post-secondary students’ stressors and perceived competence during the campus lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students with CRS membership at a Canadian university completed online questionnaires before and during the campus lockdown. Factor analysis showed that campus lockdowns added new stressors such as academic uncertainty, self-support struggles, and e-learning challenges to students’ academic life. Regression analysis also indicated that students who participated more frequently in recreational activities before the pandemic, experienced lower levels of pandemic-related stressors and reported higher levels of perceived competence to handle challenges and master their school workload during the lockdown. Results suggest that the impact of CRS activities on reducing levels of stress contribute to wellbeing above and beyond physical health benefits. Greater CRS participation cultivates personal strengths toward gaining lifelong skills and expansion of self to effectively manage negative life challenges.