Exploring the Relationship between Perceptions of Quality in Basic Instruction Programs and Repeat Participation

Abstract

Current information indicates colleges and universities are experiencing decreased enrollments in basic instruction programs for physical activity. One factor responsible for this phenomenon is many universities’ decision to eliminate required participation in physical education courses in order to graduate with a college degree. Another factor may be the potential for the students’ perceptions of the quality of the program to affect participant retention. At a large Midwestern university, a sample of 300 students enrolled in a basic instruction program for physical activity was surveyed to determine perceptions of program quality and to determine whether different student segments responded differently to various aspects of the service experience. Findings from this study indicate perceived quality is a strong predictor of satisfaction and that satisfied students are likely to return to the program for additional courses. Course content was the most important predictor of satisfaction followed by instructor quality. Quality perceptions differed according to gender and motive for taking the course. Male students were more critical of the course and instructor. Female students were easier to please when it came to course content and the instructor, but more critical of the facility. Students indicating they were taking the course for each of the three motives—skill acquisition, health improvement, and social opportunities—rated one or more of the targets of quality higher than those students who were less motivated to take the course for any of the three aforementioned reasons.?