Author(s): Adnan Khan, Merajuddin Faridi, Md. Kamran Khan, Saddam Hussain and Apeksha Verma

Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to assess the sport-performance-based buying behaviour of university athletes of national and international level towards their sport equipment. The study also aimed at identifying the decision-making difference between male and female athletes. A quantitative survey research design was adopted to conduct this study. Data were collected by using a PSISP inventory of Lam & Bae (2013) after modifying it by including context based item to achieve the research objectives. Inventory was personally administered to the participants during their participation in Khelo-India University Games 2024 and North Zone Cricket Intervarsity Championship and its reliability was ensured by Cronbach’s alpha (0.83). A total of 400 athletes (200 males and 200 females) of age group 17-25 years were selected through mixed-method sampling technique. Mean, standard deviation and Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the data. Results revealed quality as the most prioritized equipment attribute followed by comfort and durability while newly launched and style & look were recorded as the least preferred equipment attributes. Moreover, results demonstrated no significant difference between male and female athletes on all of the equipment attributes except price. Female athletes (Mean rank = 211.64) were found more price conscious compared to male athletes (Mean rank = 189.36). Conclusion indicates that athletes prioritize attributes that directly influence performance efficiency, injury prevention, and biomechanical suitability. Additionally, except price no difference between male and female athletes on functional attributes such as quality, comfort, size & weight, and durability further confirmed the performance based decision making of competitive athletes.

DOI: 10.22271/kheljournal.2025.v12.i6j.4161

Pages: 684-689  |  172 Views  94 Downloads

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