Influence of Physical Activity Level on The Health Status of Athletes and Non-Athletes Staff Members in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of physical activity on the health status of staff members in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. Ex-post facto research design was used in the study. The population of the study comprised 1,112 staff members of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. A sample of 133 participants was selected for the study. Stratified sampling technique was used to categorise staff members into athlete and non-athlete categories. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 staff athletes, and random sampling was used to select 103 staff non-athletes. The physical activity questionnaire used for this study was adapted from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Standardized instruments of body weight scale, stadiometer, and non-elastic tape rule were used for measurements of body weight (kg), height (metre), waist circumference (cm), and hip circumference (cm). Inferential statistics of Independent sample t-test were used in testing the postulated hypotheses at .05 alpha level.  The findings revealed a significant difference in the physical activity level between staff athletes and non-athletes at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. (The results indicate a significant difference in the health status markers (BMI, WHR, and WHtR) between staff athletes and non-athletes at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. MI (t(131) = -6.45, p(0.03) <.05), WHR (t(131) = -5.15, p(0.03) <.05), WHtR (t(131) = -6.48, p(0.04) <.05); there is no significant difference between the health status marker (WC) of staff athletes and non-athletes in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. (t(131) = -7.21, p(0.40) >.05). The study's findings revealed that staff athletes actively participated in physical activity within the WHO's (2010) recommended range, while the majority of non-athlete staff members had risky health conditions. Among other recommendations, we should develop a workplace culture and environment that supports and motivates employees to be physically active, and encourage regular engagement in physical activities at moderate to vigorous intensity to promote the health and fitness of all staff at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.