Abstract

This study examines the development and implementation of human resource management practices within leisure sports programs at Chinese higher education institutions. The research addresses critical challenges emerging from the sector’s rapid expansion and increasing professional requirements. Using a sequential mixed-methods approach, the study collected data through quantitative surveys from 88 education professionals across five leading institutions and qualitative evaluations from seven expert panelists. The findings reveal significant gaps between current practices and desired standards in six core management components, with human resource planning and recruitment management showing the most substantial needs for improvement. Expert validation confirmed high suitability and implementation feasibility of the proposed management framework. Based on these findings, the study develops comprehensive guidelines for enhancing human resource management practices, focusing on strategic planning, recruitment processes, professional development, and performance evaluation systems. These evidence-based guidelines provide practical implications for improving collegiate leisure sports programs while contributing to the theoretical understanding of specialized program management in Chinese higher education contexts. The results suggest that systematic implementation of these guidelines could significantly enhance program quality and institutional effectiveness in leisure sports education.

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