DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN KINETICS AND SPORT SCIENCE

This study investigated the sociocultural factors influencing sport participation among female athletes in the University of Benin. The study specifically examined the relationship between family cultural background, family educational background, religion, socioeconomic status, and the participation of female students in sports. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised female athletes from various faculties in the university, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 105 completed questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings revealed that a majority of the respondents came from modern or mixed cultural backgrounds, families with tertiary educational qualifications, and predominantly Christian households. Family cultural background showed a weak and statistically insignificant relationship with sport participation, while family educational background demonstrated a stronger positive influence. Religion exhibited minimal restrictive effects, as most respondents reported that their faith does not hinder their involvement in sports. Socioeconomic status also showed a positive but moderate relationship with sport participation, with respondents from business and civil servant households participating more actively than those from farming backgrounds. The study concludes that improved awareness, supportive family structures, and inclusive institutional policies can enhance female participation in sports within the University of Benin. It recommends targeted sensitization programs, increased provision of female-friendly facilities, and sustained encouragement from families and the institution to promote gender- balanced sports involvement.

This study focuses on the prevalence of obesity and its association with lifestyle habits
among undergraduates of the University of Benin in both Ugbowo and Ekehuan campuses . The research study utilized a descriptive survey method and data were collected from 200 students through a structured questionnaire that assessed variables such as dietary patterns, physical activity, sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data obtained from the administered questionnaires. The findings from the study showed that obesity is present among students and is influenced by lifestyle factors such as unhealthy dietary choices, low levels of physical activity, high screen time, and frequent consumption of sugary drinks. Students who engaged in regular exercise and maintained balanced diets demonstrated better weight management. The study concludes that lifestyle habits play a significant role in obesity among university students and recommends health promotion programs, improved nutrition awareness, and increased opportunities for physical activity within the campus environment.

Sports facilities and equipment are key in ensuring proper training and improving the performance levels of athletes and other sports participants. This study was carried out to assess the provision and utilisation of sports facilities as determinants of success in selected competitive sports. The University of Benin was selected as the study area and the adequacy and quality level of
available facilities and equipment for various sports was assessed. The survey research design was employed and data was collected from a total of 100 participants using structured questionnaires designed by the researcher. Data collected was analysed using simple frequencies and percentages and presented in tables. The results of the study revealed that inadequate facilities for sporting activities cause a lack of interest in participation and that modification of certain equipment to suit the needs of the athlete can improve performances. It has also been revealed that supervision of training using facilities, maintenance and repair of equipment contribute to better performance in competitive sports. Generally, there is an indication that the availability of adequate sporting facilities and equipment is essential for success in competitive sports. The facilities for most sports were
judged to be inadequate. However, the quality of the available facilities was deemed to be generally good. Based on the findings of the study, it is therefore concluded that the provision
and utilisation of sports facilities is a determinant of success in selected competitive sports.

This study explored the influence of proper nutrition and diet amongst University of Benin student-athletes. The purpose of the study is to ascertain the influence of proper nutrition and diet, it health implications on student-athletes as well as ways and measure through which sports performance can be improved. This study accessed information on nutrition and diet and it influence on student-athletes. The study was guided by research objectives, significance and scope and Delimitation. Literature review covered relevant texts and documents on the research topic. The researcher adopted the descriptive survey research design. Random sampling technique was used from the five research questions, 21items were raised in the questionnaire together with the data for this study. Samples of 324 student-athletes were taken from University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. The test – retest reliability method was used to establish the reliability of the instrument. The score from both administrations were correlated using the Pearson’s Product – Moment Correlation (PPMC) to establish its coefficient and the reliability score obtained was 0.84 which shows that the instrument is highly dependable. Descriptive statistics of percentage was used to analyze personal data. The results of the study showed that: proper nutrition and diet influences sports performance and physical fitness.

The study was conducted to investigate the sociocultural factor influencing female participation in sports. To make it possible four research questions were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted to accomplish the objectives of the study. The population of the study consists of all 44,699 undergraduate student in Universities in Edo state and the sample size of 300 accessible undergraduate was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire developed by the researcher and was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and two other experts from the Department of Human Kinetics and Sport Science. The reliability coefficient was 0.741 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha Co-efficient. The data collected were analyzed statistically using the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) software. The study established that participation of women in sports was influenced by several factors. Some women participate in physical sport simply because they loved the game and because they found it exciting and fun. The sampled student across universities in Edo state participated in sport because they hoped that it would improve their lives in terms of keeping healthy and fit and learning especially reproductive health. Other respondents also considered it is a platform for socialization and making new friends. Finally the study recommend that government at all levels should create enabling environment for unrestricted participation of female in sports and its management, government should encourage female participation in sport by providing scholarship and
other incentives to female athletes who excel in any sporting competition and that mass media should organize enlightenment programme that will eliminate all socio-cultural biases against female participation in sporting activities.

This research aimed to explore the impediments to effective sports participation among student-athletes at tertiary institutions. The study employed a descriptive survey design, focusing on a diverse population of student-athletes across five universities in Edo State, Nigeria. The research was guided by six main research questions, examining time management challenges, financial constraints, injury and health issues, the role of social support networks, the quality of coaching and training, academic pressures, and strategies for support by universities and sports administrators. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire distributed to a sample size of 200 student-athletes. The questionnaire was vetted for validity and reliability, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the various aspects of sports participation among student-athletes. Analysis of the data was
conducted using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation.

This study was carried out to examine the factors influencing the decline of sporting activities among University of Benin students, four research questions were raised and the descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the Study comprised 243 student-athletes in the University of Benin who train daily at the various sporting facilities within the UNIBEN Ugbowo main campus. A sample size of 100 student-athletes was selected for this study and the research instrument used was a self-constructed questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was subjected to scrutiny and the Cronbach alpha method of reliability technique was used to ascertain it reliability. The correlation coefficient computed was 0.722 indicating that the instrument was reliable. The instrument was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. From the results, the current study indicate that instability of academic calendar, low level of students' motivation to sports participation, inadequate and poor maintenance of sports facilities, equipment and supplies and improper physical education background in primary and secondary schools affect University of Benin students' participation in sporting activities. It was recommended that there should be change in the work culture of the university and the nature of the students' weeks to give them more opportunities to participate in sporting activities by creating space for sports participation, the university management should create a well-structured programme with adequate evaluation that include all students participation in sporting activities by including it in the General Studies (GST) or adding it to the academic calendar of the university, athletic scholarships should be given and sports tournaments should be consistently held with tempting prizes for participants and winners. Nigerian primary and secondary schools should be looked upon as one of the fertile grounds for breeding the nation's future sports men and women by making physical education compulsory in all school levels

This study aims to understand how nutrition and exercise affect healthy weight management in people involved in physical fitness. The purpose was to understand the connexion between routine exercise, a healthy diet and change in weight, to share reliable information about their relationship and to promote healthy habits of nutrition and physical fitness. The study looked at 100 people who are regularly involved in fitness routines by using questionnaires to cheque their food habits, the amount they exercise and the times they eat. Various descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations, were looked at to analyse the research questions. Chi-square tests were performed to cheque whether there was a link between nutrition, physical activity and healthy weight outcomes. Evidence showed that balanced eating habits, regular exercise and proper weight management go hand in hand. A majority of participants felt that eating meals at regular intervals and the right amount of meals help keep weight and health in cheque. They emphasise that combining physical activity and a better diet is key to managing weight. Being guided in nutrition, physically active and planning meals well up front were found to achieve and sustain a healthy body weight best. It stresses the need for such programmes to stress the importance of nutrition and exercise in achieving better control of weight and general health.

This study examined the ROLES OF DIFFERENT COACHING STYLES ON THE IMPACT OF TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES PERFORMANCE, The research specifically explored the most commonly used coaching styles, how these styles influence team dynamics, the impact on individual athletes, athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ behaviour, and the coaching styles considered most effective for improving overall performance. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 108 student-athletes using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, weighted means, and standard deviations. The findings revealed that transformational, democratic, transactional, and athlete-centered coaching styles were the most commonly practiced, while autocratic and laissez-faire styles were used moderately. The results further showed that coaching styles significantly influence team performance by enhancing communication, cooperation, unity, and conflict management. Individual performance was also positively affected, as respondents agreed that supportive coaching methods improved motivation, discipline, confidence, skill development, and concentration. Athletes expressed more positive perceptions toward coaching styles characterized by open communication, encouragement, and emotional support. The study identified transformational, democratic, and athlete-centered coaching styles as the most effective for improving both team and individual performance.

This study examined the level of knowledge of student towards the use of nature- based intervention in managing anxiety; assessed the level of awareness among the
University of Benin students on Nature-Based Interventions (NBIs) for managing anxiety
and enhancing resilience; and determined the perceived effectiveness of implementing
Nature-Based Interventions in promoting mental health strategy within the University of
Benin. These were with a view to provide information on the impact of nature-based
intervention on the perceived anxiety management among students of the University of
Benin. The study utilised the descriptive research design. Data for the study were
collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through
the administration of questionnaire. A total number of 360 respondents which were
randomly selected across all faculties from 60,000 UNIBEN students that made up the
study population. Secondary data were sourced from the Internet materials, and journal
articles. The data collected were analysed using statistical packages for social sciences
(SPSS) and Pearson statistical analysis. Findings revealed that students have informal contact with nature-based activities. Also, the study established that students at the University of Benin are moderately
engaging in NBIs to manage anxiety and improve their resilience, with the majority
reporting awareness of NBIs and recognizing their benefits, especially in managing stress
and emotional well-being.The study showed that greater engagement in Nature-Based
Interventions (NBIs) significantly improves students' mental health, particularly in
managing anxiety. Students not only perceive NBIs as effective, but this perception is
strongly linked to their actual participation in nature-based activities. Therefore, integrating NBIs into campus mental health strategies can enhance student well-being
and should be prioritized. The study concluded that formal education and structured integration of NBIs
into mental health strategies are essential to maximize their impact.