SATURDAY NICHOLAS OGHUMU

Background/Purpose of Study: High-heeled shoes are widely used among females for aesthetic, social, and cultural reasons. However, empirical studies examining the effects of high- heeled shoes on biomechanical alterations and energy expenditure of different body somatotypes are scarce. Aim: The study investigated the effect of 3-inch high-heeled shoe on selected biomechanical parameters (lumbar flexibility (LF), quadriceps angle (QA), limb length discrepancy (LLD), quadriceps muscle length (QL) and gastrocnemius muscle length (GL) and aerobic capacity (total lap covered (TLC), oxygen saturation rate (SPO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse rate (PR)) in female undergraduate's body somatotypes (ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph) in the University of Benin. Method: A single-blind randomized controlled trial of 75 female undergraduates recruited through consecutive sampling and blocked randomized into ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph using Sheldon’s body types classification questionnaire. Participants biomechanical parameters (LF, QA, LLD, QL and GL) were measured using standardized procedures. Aerobic capacity of TLC was assessed using the 6-minute walk test, while SBP, DBP, SPO2 and PR were measured using Omron digital blood pressure. All measurements of biomechanical parameters and aerobic capacity of participants were taken under two footwear conditions: normal heel and 3-inch high-heeled shoes. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages were used to summarise data. Inferential statistics of Wilcoxon’s test, paired t-test, Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney-U, ANOVA were used to analyse data at p<0.05. Results: Biomechanical parameters (LF, QA, LLD, QL and GL) and aerobic capacity of TLC were significantly (p<0.001) reduced following the application of 3-inch heel shoe in the three body types, whereas aerobic capacity of SBP, PR, and SPO2 were significantly (p<0.001) increased. Only DBP of mesomorph was significantly (p<0.001) increased. Conclusion: This study indicates that 3-inch high-heeled shoe has significant effects on biomechanical parameters and aerobic capacity of female undergraduate’s body somatotype.

Background: Functional decline during hospitalization is a major concern among older adults, as it can lead to loss of independence, increased morbidity, and longer recovery periods. Despite the growing elderly population in Nigeria, limited data exist on factors influencing physical functioning among hospitalized older adults.

Aim: This study investigated the predictors of physical functioning among hospitalized older
adults at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 548 hospitalized older adults
aged 60 years and above admitted between January 2020 and December 2024. Data were
obtained from patient case notes using a structured data extraction form, including demographic,
clinical, and functional variables. Physical functioning was assessed using the Barthel Index.
Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson correlation and Chisquare
tests were applied, with the level of significance set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 74.49 ± 9.61 years, with 53% males and 47% females.
There was a significant negative relationship between age and physical functioning (r = −0.085,
p = 0.046) and a significant positive relationship between length of hospital stay and physical
functioning (r = 0.229, p < 0.001). Comorbidities (p < 0.001), primary diagnosis (p < 0.001), and
cognitive status (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with physical functioning, while pain
level showed no significant association (p = 0.291). Age, gross muscle power, range of motion,
and length of hospital stay emerged as significant predictors of physical functioning at discharge.

Conclusion: Age of hospitalized older adults is inversely related with their physical functioning,
while length of hospital stay is directly related to the physical functioning of older adults.

Background: Exercise, while generally beneficial, can become compulsive and addictive, negatively impacting an athlete’s physical and psychological health. Understanding the prevalence of this condition and its relationship with key well-being indicators is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals and developing effective intervention strategies among athletic populations. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of exercise addiction among amateur athletes and examine the association between exercise addiction, psychological well-being (specifically depression, anxiety, and stress), and perceived social support within this population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study utilizing a consecutive sampling technique to recruit a sample of amateur athletes from the University of Benin. Data were collected using three standardized self-report instruments: the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ). Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence, while inferential statistics, such as correlation analysis, were employed to explore the association between the variables. Results: The study identified a quantifiable prevalence of exercise addiction among the amateur athletes. Significant associations were found, indicating that increased levels of exercise addiction were positively correlated with higher levels of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). Conversely, there was a statistically significant inverse correlation between exercise addiction and the level of perceived social support. Conclusion: Exercise addiction is a significant issue among amateur athletes at the University of Benin and is strongly associated with poor psychological well-being and reduced social support. These findings highlight the need for screening for exercise addiction in sports settings and incorporating psychological support and social network strategies into athlete welfare programs to mitigate the associated risks.

Background / Purpose of the Study: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Prolonged waiting in physiotherapy clinics may aggravate pain and influence treatment outcomes. This study examined the effect of waiting time on clinical outcomes of pain intensity and coping strategies (catastrophising, diverting attention, reinterpretation of pain, cognitive coping) in patients with NSCLBP attending physi therapy sessions at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Methods / Procedures: Sixty patients diagnosed with NSCLBP participated in this prospective study. Standardized instruments were used, including the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ-24), and a 0–100 satisfaction score. Waiting time was measured as the interval between patient arrival and treatment start, using a Digital stopwatch. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to summarize participants’ characteristics, while inferential statistics of paired t-tests, MANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and chi-square tests were used to analyse data at p < 0.05. Results: Most participants (73.3%) waited less than 30 minutes. Pain intensity slightly increased during waiting (p < 0.001) but significantly decreased post-treatment (p < 0.001). Waiting time had no significant effect on pain, catastrophizing, or cognitive coping but influenced reinterpretation of pain (p = 0.006). A strong association was found between shorter waiting periods and higher satisfaction levels (χ² = 51.74, p < 0.001). Longer waits showed weak but positive correlations with post-treatment cognitive coping (r = 0.285, p = 0.027).
Conclusion: Brief waiting times increased pre-treatment pain slightly but did not adversely affect overall outcomes. Physiotherapy effectively reduced pain and improved adaptive coping. Efficient scheduling, patient education, and supportive communication during waiting are recommended to enhance satisfaction and treatment success

Background/Purpose: Sports injuries are common among football players and can negatively impact performance and participation. Injury-prevention strategies such as warm-up routines, strength training, and flexibility exercises are proven to reduce injury risk, yet their application among amateur players in Nigerian universities remains unclear. This study assessed the level of awareness and practice of sports injury prevention strategies among amateur football players in
the University of Benin.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. A structured, self-administered
questionnaire adapted from a previous study was distributed to 298 amateur football players selected through consecutive sampling. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency distributions and Chi-square tests to determine associations between socio-demographic variables and prevention practices, with a significance level set at p< 0.05.
Results: Findings revealed that most participants were males (60.4%) aged 18–25 years. General warm-up programme was commonly performed three to five times weekly (15.4% each), while 17.4% reported no participation. Flexibility and strength training were the most commonly practiced preventive measures, while the FIFA 11+ programme was infrequently used. No
significant association was found between age and practice of injury-prevention strategies (p >
0.05). However, male players showed higher engagement in general warm-up (x2= 14.088, p = 0.029), and specific prevention (x2= 15.163, p = 0.019) routines compared to females. Playing position was not significantly associated with either awareness or practice of injury-prevention strategies (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Amateur football players at the University of Benin demonstrated moderate awareness and practice of injury-prevention strategies. Despite recognizing the importance of prevention, adherence to structured programmes remained low. There is a need for enhanced education, structured preventive training, and improved access to physiotherapy services to promote safer participation in university football.