Dr. Psych., Professor I.V. Vasilenko¹
Dr. Sc.Soc., Professor O.V. Tkachenko¹
¹Volgograd State University, Volgograd

Objective of the study is to identify significant social factors that motivate or demotivate young people to participate in mass sports in a metropolitan environment.
Methods and structure of the study. To assess the factors influencing the motivation of young people aged 21 to 35 to participate in mass sports in Volgograd between September and December 2024, the authors conducted a sociological study using a questionnaire survey (n=470, of which 46.7% were men and and 53.3% women, which corresponds to the parameters of the general population. The sample type was multistage, regionalised, and quota-based (gender, age, place of residence). Respondents were selected at random. Data processing was carried out using the Statistics application. Statistical analysis was performed using the following methods: correlation calculation (r – Pearson's coefficient), variance analysis (Fisher's F-test), null hypothesis testing (p-level of significance).
Results and conclusions. The article presents the results of a study of the key factors influencing the participation of young people in the million-strong city of Volgograd in mass sports. The study was conducted using a questionnaire survey of young people aged 18 to 35. The study used quota sampling based on the main socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. The sample consisted of 470 people – young people from the city of Volgograd. The indicators were analysed using a specialised software package called ‘Statistics’.  We focused on calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient to determine the degree of correlation, the initial level of the variable and Fisher's criterion (F-statistic) to perform a one-way analysis of variance. The main objective of the study was to determine which internal and external factors influence the practice of regular sports and which do not. The results of the statistical analysis showed that age, marital status and employment influence the practice of sports, i.e. young people who are married and have a job are less likely to participate in sports than those who are single and unemployed. Interestingly, such seemingly important factors as gender and having children do not influence participation in sports. In addition, the study found that the distance of a sports facility from a person's place of residence or work is a significant factor in the decision to participate in sports, while the level of comfort and pricing policy of clubs are not. Overall, the results of this study will be interesting and useful for the government in its work with young people to encourage them to participate in mass sports, for heads of educational institutions that shape physical culture, and for the commercial sector in the field of fitness services for targeted advertising aimed at attracting potential customers.

Keywords: key factors, urban youth, mass sports practices, internal and external factors, social attitudes, statistical analysis.

References

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