The impact of sport-based extracurricular activities on student engagement and academic achievement among Vietnamese students

Authors

  • Nguyen Thi Ha Lan Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam
  • Le Tuyet Mai Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam
  • Duong Thi Thoan Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam
  • Cao Thi Cuc Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam
  • Pham Thi Thu Hoa Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam
  • Nguyen Thi Thanh Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.719391
Keywords: Sport-Based Extracurricular Activities, Student Engagement, Academic Achievement, Motivation Theory, Social Connectedness

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of sport-based extracurricular activities on student engagement and academic achievement among Vietnamese university students, addressing a gap in localized research. Employing a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 300 students and 60 faculty members across four universities. Quantitative data, derived from a student engagement questionnaire, grade point average (GPA) records, and participation surveys, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analyses. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 20 students and 10 faculty members were analyzed thematically. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between sports participation and engagement (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) and a moderate correlation with academic achievement (r = 0.35, p < 0.05), with engagement and sports participation explaining 32% of the variance in GPA (R² = 0.32). Qualitative findings highlighted enhanced motivation, social connectedness, and institutional barriers, such as limited facilities, as key factors. These results align with motivation theories, emphasizing the role of sports in fulfilling students’ needs for competence and relatedness. The study underscores the potential of sport-based extracurricular activities to enhance student outcomes in Vietnamese higher education, while highlighting the need for improved institutional support to overcome barriers.

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Published
03-06-2026
How to Cite
Thi Ha Lan, N., Tuyet Mai, L., Thi Thoan, D., Thi Cuc, C., Thi Thu Hoa, P., & Thi Thanh, N. (2026). The impact of sport-based extracurricular activities on student engagement and academic achievement among Vietnamese students. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 15, 49. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.719391
Issue
Vol. 15 (2026)
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.