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Sport tourism is one of the fastest growing market segments in the tourism industry and is receiving increased attention for its social, environmental, and economic impacts upon destinations. Prior research in tourism impacts has tended to focus exclusively on tourism as a whole and does not differentiate among the different types of tourism that may be present in a destination. The purpose of this study was to examine how residents of Indianapolis, Indiana perceived the impacts sport tourism has upon their city. A total of 347 surveys were returned in a mailed questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four factor structure of social benefits, environmental benefits, economic benefits, and general negative impacts. Social and economic benefits were strong predictors for support for further sport tourism development revealing a strong identification with the advantages of sport tourism in their city such as an increased cultural identity and social interaction opportunities.

Campus recreational sports programs are designed to provide an on-campus leisure opportunity for college students, hopefully enhancing their quality of collegiate life. Yet, not all students choose to participate, much to the chagrin of recreational sports professionals and school administrators. The purpose of this study was to investigate how perceived constraints on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural levels influenced the participation of college students in recreational sports activities on an urban, commuter campus and a residential, rural campus. The sample of subjects consisted of 416 students who considered themselves nonparticipants in campus recreational sports. The results indicated that lack of time because of work, school or family, and not knowing the available activities were the two most strongly perceived constraints. Further investigation on differences in perceived constraints was conducted with respect to subjects' age, gender and place of residence.

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Collegiate recreational sports provide many avenues for student development resulting in various benefits that have been supported through theoretical and empirical research. This study examined social outcomes of participation in intramural sports. The data revealed differences in social outcomes related to gender, age, year in school, ethnicity, residence, and division of competition. Differences were found between groups in the degree of social outcomes experienced. The data contribute to a body of empirical research which shows that intramural sport participation serves as a vehicle for social development among college students, which not only improves overall well-being but can also help serve as a potential reason for why students persist at universities. Specific areas of development include social interaction, time management, ability to work within a team, overall happiness, sense of belonging, and feelings of self-worth. The results of this study will assist university recreational sport professionals and administrators in further understanding the role and importance of intramural sports as a vehicle for social development while also providing evidence of differences between groups.