Impact of Physical Activity on Wellness of Students in Private Secondary Schools in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Sport is an integral part of the formal system of educational process essential for the total development of an individual. In spite of the benefits of participation in physical activities in relation to wellness, it was observed that most private schools in Osun State did not build and maintain sports facilities. The study therefore, examined impact of physical activity on wellness of students in private secondary schools in Osun State. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The respondents were selected from fifteen private schools in Osun State. Purposive, disproportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques were adopted in selecting twenty (20) students per school; with a total of 300 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analysed using inferential statistics of PPMC and multiple linear regressions. The findings revealed that availability of sports facilities had positive correlation with physical activity participation among students of private Secondary Schools in Osun State. Physical activities involving ball games of football, basketball, volleyball and handball jointly had impact on wellness of respondents. Football and handball had relative impact on wellness of students; while basketball and volleyball did not. Physical activities involving racket games of tennis, badminton, squash and table tennis jointly had impact on wellness of students. Tennis, badminton and table tennis had relative impact; while squash did not. It was concluded that, participation in ball and racket games as physical activities jointly had impact on wellness of respondents. Physical activities involving football, handball, tennis, badminton and table tennis had relative impact. It was recommended among others that; the Ministry of Education in Osun State should legislate that all the schools make adequate provision for sports facilities in schools.