Physical Exercise and Job Performance of Lecturers in State Universities Across South-East Nigeria: A Stress Management Approach

Abstract

This study examined physical exercise and job performance of lecturers in state universities across south-east Nigeria. The health belief model was adopted as framework for this cross-sectional descriptive survey. A sample size of 1,422 respondents; made up of 1,414 quantitative respondents and 8 qualitative interviewees who were randomly drawn from the four selected universities namely: Abia State University, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Enugu State University of Science and Technology and Imo State University. A structured questionnaire formulated and proportionally administered to respondents using Yamane’s (1967) formula. The multi-stage sampling techniques was adopted to select respondents across faculties and departments. In each faculty, 3 departments were random sampled, thereafter, each department was proportionately sampled, while quantitative data was presented using descriptive statistics such as simple frequency distribution tables, percentages, weighted mean score. The chi-square statistical tool was used to test the stated hypothesis. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interview. The study found that, although, lecturers understand the importance of physical exercise, they do not engage in it owing to challenges such as poor remuneration, none availability of fitness centers among others. It recommends that university management should prioritize sensitization of staff on the benefits of physical exercise to their wellbeing and the need for provision of fitness centers as a stress management strategy to improve job performance.