The Effectiveness of Modern Teaching Methods in Employing Sports Activities as Part of University Curricula

Abstract

The current research explores the effectiveness of modern teaching methods in integrating sports activities into university curricula, focusing on their impact on students' academic, social, and emotional development. The study addresses a core problem: many university programs remain heavily theoretical, neglecting the vital role sports play in building a well-rounded personality. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach, the research examined how combining physical activities with theoretical frameworks enhances essential life skills such as cooperation, teamwork, leadership, emotional regulation, and empathy. Data was collected from a purposive sample of 150 students at Bani Walid University during the 2025 academic year, using tools such as questionnaires and interviews. Results indicated that modern teaching strategies, including cooperative and project-based learning, significantly increased classroom participation by 85% and improved the integration of theory and practice by 82%. Furthermore, regular sports participation was linked to reduced anxiety and higher academic satisfaction, with the most significant improvements seen in teamwork (84%) and social skills (83%). While leadership and empathy showed slightly lower impacts (76% and 77% respectively), the findings confirm that sports are a powerful pedagogical tool rather than a mere extracurricular activity. The study concludes that systematically embedding sports into university curricula is a pedagogical necessity for achieving comprehensive education and preparing students to face future professional and social challenges effectively.