Future athletic career direction as a determinant of perceived university conditions for sport

Front Sports Act Living. 2026 May 29:8:1786150. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1786150. eCollection 2026.

Abstract

Background: The decision of young athletes to study at university is closely related to their future sports direction. Expectations regarding sports conditions at universities can significantly influence their academic and sports decision-making.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine to what extent the planned career direction affects the importance that young athletes attribute to sports conditions at university.

Methods: The primary research was conducted through a quantitative study using an online survey, with 396 complete responses included in the analytical processing. The analysis combined non-parametric and parametric procedures: X 2; test with Cramer's V and one-way ANOVA.

Results: The results showed that there is a relationship between sports ambitions, study decisions and assessment of conditions. The greater the role of sports in the future, the greater the emphasis young athletes place on the quality of sports facilities at universities.

Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of sports conditions as an important factor influencing the decision-making process of young athletes when choosing a university. The originality of the article lies in extending the perspective to the pre-university phase and in the fact that expectations regarding sports conditions significantly influence both academic and sports decision-making.

Keywords: dual career; sport conditions; sports management; university studies; youth athletes.