C. O. OBASEKI

Heart rate recovery (HRR) following exercise serves as a simple, noninvasive indicator of autonomic function and cardiovascular fitness. Impaired HRR has been linked with increased cardiovascular risk, even in apparently healthy individuals. However, there is limited data on HRR among young adults in the Nigerian population. This study aimed to characterize typical HRR values among undergraduate students of the University of Benin and to examine their relationship with key lifestyle and stress-related factors, including physical activity and perceived academic stress. A total of 346 apparently healthy male and female undergraduate student aged 18 – 25 years with a mean age of 21.09 ± 1.87 years participated in this cross sectional observational study. Of the total respondents, 167 (48.3%) were male and 179 (51.7%) were female. Resting and exercise heart rate, and blood pressure were
recorded. HRR was determined at 1, 2, and 5-minutes post-exercise. Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), while perceived stress was evaluated with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Data was
summarize using descriptive statistics. Independent t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and linear regression, with significance set at p < 0.05 were used to test the hypothesis. Results: The participants had mean HRR values of 50.34 ± 19.61 bpm (1-minute),
65.32 ± 21.27 bpm (2-minute), and 75.35 ± 22.72 bpm (5-minute). No significantgender differences were observed in HRR (p > 0.05). Physical activity showed a significant negative correlation with 5-minute HRR (r = –0.15, p = 0.005), while perceived academic stress showed no significant relationship with HRR across time points. HRR significantly predicted maximum heart rate (B = 0.737, p < 0.001), but not resting cardiovascular parameters. Conclusion: The findings suggest that HRR after 6MWT among healthy young adults at the University of Benin reflects generally normal autonomic recovery patterns, independent of gender and academic stress levels. However, reduced physical activity may influence delayed autonomic recovery. Regular physical activity and preventive cardiovascular screening are recommended to promote optimal autonomic health.

Background/Purpose of the Study: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability globally, with its burden particularly high in low and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. It requires a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach for effective management. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in restoring mobility, promoting functional independence, and improving quality of life for stroke survivors. However, awareness and perception of its importance among students in other health-related disciplines may remain inadequate. Understanding these perceptions is crucial in promoting interprofessional collaboration and strengthening patient-centered rehabilitation practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of awareness and perception of the roles of physiotherapy in stroke management among College of Medical Sciences students, University of Benin. The study also explored the influence of gender, department, and academic level on awareness and perception. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 295 undergraduate students (300 level and above) from seven departments within the College of Medical Sciences. A self-administered structured questionnaire adapted from validated instruments was used to collect data on knowledge, awareness, and perception of physiotherapy in stroke management. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, and percentage, while chi-square tests were used to determine associations at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: Over half of the respondents (52.2%) demonstrated good knowledge of physiotherapy, and 84.7% showed good understanding of both medical and physiotherapy aspects of stroke management. The majority acknowledged that physiotherapists are essential in restoring mobility and functional independence in stroke survivors. No statistically significant associations were found between knowledge and gender, department, or academic level. The major sources of information on physiotherapy and stroke management were social media (16.6%), lectures (14.3%), and online medical articles (12.4%). Conclusion: The study concludes that most college of medical science students at the University of Benin possess a good level of awareness and positive perception of the role of physiotherapy in stroke management. However, some misconceptions persist, highlighting the need for improved educational exposure and interprofessional learning opportunities. Integrating physiotherapy awareness into medical curricula and leveraging digital health education platforms could foster better collaboration among future healthcare providers and enhance stroke rehabilitation outcomes.