Impact of Teacher-Led Physical Exercise on Selfefficacy and Physical Activity Performances of First Year Undergraduate Students in a Private University , Ogun State , Nigeria

Abstract

There is low level of physical activity among undergraduate. Participation in PE dwindles precipitously among both male and female undergraduate students. It has been noticed that Physical activity/physical exercise (PA/PE) rates tend to decline precipitously during the secondary school years leading to low physical activity and exercise(PA/PE) among undergraduate and college males and females students. This consequently led to pull of ill health, such as obesity (juvenile obesity) and arthritis (in older women), hyperlipidemia (excess fat), stress, fatigue and arteriosclerosis of the heart vessels. Sedentary behaviour is one of the strongest risk factors for many chronic diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and depression. Due to the above the objectives of the study was to identify the relation between teacher led activity and the self efficacy of undergraduate students using self efficacy mode. Thus this study shows the impact of Teacher led physical exercise (PE) on the self efficacy of undergraduate male and female students in a private university in Ogun State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 male and female first year undergraduate students in a private institution. It adopted a two arm quasi experimental research design. Participants completed questionnaire on the demographic, the self efficacy structured questionnaires as well as the physical activity questionnaire form to assess the physical activity practices and behaviour of undergraduate students at pre and post intervention. The results showed that participant's ages ranged from 15 to 22 years. Participants aged 16 and 17 were in the majority, 147(24.5%) and 218(36.3%) respectively. Female students were more involved in the study than their male counterpart. Majority 379(65.2%) were females and the mean age of the students across the group was 17±2.45 years. The self efficacy measured showed that majority 349 (58.2%) of the students said that they can-not do at all, moderately can do were 167 (27.8%) while self efficacy rating on those that can do highly were 84 (14%). Self Efficacy means score (SEMS) was 10.71±4.o4 and the SEMS at post was 17.94 ±5.98. The result tested at 95% confidence interval was significant (p=0.000). The increment in practice of Physical activity means score due to improved self efficacy at baseline was 19.72±6.96 and at Post intervention was 43.43±11.14 were significant.