ABSTRACT
This
study was undertaken to examine the impact
of covid-19 protocols on sports participation among secondary school students
in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State. Three research questions were
raised to guide the study. The population of the study comprised of public
secondary school students in Igueben local government area of Edo State. The
sample for the study was 200 subjects (or respondents). The simple random
sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study. Research
results were analyzed using tables, frequency counts, percentages and mean
score. The study found that: Due to the
impact of the pandemic, parents are now reluctant in letting their children
participate in school sports, various sports competitions were halted by pandemic
which has indirectly cost some students the opportunity for their talent to be
discovered and nurtured to greatness, most schools do not have the facilities
to meet the post-covid-19 standard for sports participation, and that the level
of adherence to covid-19 sports protocol (hand washing, face mask wearing and
social distancing) was also found to be high in schools whose sports divisions
have reopened for training. The following recommendations were made, among
others; the government and none governmental organizations should support secondary
schools in the provision of facilities and equipment for optimal sports
performance. Parents should take up the responsibility of ensuring observance
of covid-19 safety protocols among their children outside of school
environments
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title
Page- - - - - - - - i
Certification- - - - - - - - iii
Dedication- - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgement- - - - - - - v
Abstract- - - - - - - - viii
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
Background
to the Study- - - - - - 1
Statement
of problem- - - - - - - 7
Purpose
of the Study- - - - - - - 8
Research
Questions- - - - - - - 9
Scope
of the Study- - - - - - - 9
Limitation
of the Study - - - - - - 10
Significance
of the Study - - - - - 10
Definition
of Terms- - - - - - - 11
CHAPTER TWO:
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Concept of Corona Virus - - - - - - 9
Signs and Symptoms of Corona Virus - - - -- 10
Concept of Sports- - - - - - - 12
Types of Sports- - - - - - - 13
Sports Participation in Secondary School- - - - 15
Impact of Corona Virus on Secondary School Sports- - 21
Corona Virus Protocol for Sports Participation- - - 22
Summary of Literature Review- - - - - 25
CHAPTER THREE:
METHODOLOGY
Research
Design of the study - - - - - 26
Population
of the study- - - - - - 26
Sample
and Sampling Technique- - - - - 26
Research
Instrument- - - - - - - 27
Validity
- - - - - - - - 27
Reliability- - - - - - - - 27
Method
of Data Collection - - - - - - 28
Method
of Data analysis - - - - - - 28
CHAPTER FOUR:
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
Discussion
of Findings - - - - - 29
CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary - - - - - - - 34
Conclusion- -- - - - - - - 35
Recommendations
- - - - - - - 35
REFERENCES- - - - - - - 36
Appendix- - - - - - - - 38
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Sport is a
major contributor to economic and social development. Its role is well
recognized by Governments, including in the Political Declaration of the 2030
Agenda, which reflects on “the contribution sports make to the empowerment of
women and of young people, individuals and communities, as well as to health,
education and social inclusion objectives.” Since its onset, the COVID-19
pandemic has spread to almost all countries of the world. Social and physical
distancing measures, lockdowns of businesses, schools and overall social life,
which have become commonplace to curtail the spread of the disease have also
disrupted many regular aspects of life, including sport and physical activity.
This policy brief highlight the challenges COVID-19 has posed to both the
sporting world and to physical activity and well-being, including for
marginalized or vulnerable groups. It further provides recommendations for
Governments and other stakeholders, as well as for the UN system, to support
the safe reopening of sporting events, as well as to support physical activity
during the pandemic and beyond (Brito, 2020).
To safeguard
the health of athletes and others involved, most major sporting event at
international, regional and national levels have been cancelled or postponed –
from marathons to football tournaments, athletics championships to basketball
games, handball to ice hockey, rugby, cricket, sailing, skiing, weightlifting
to wrestling and more. The Olympics and Paralympics, for the first time in the
history of the modern games, have been postponed, and will be held in 2021. The
global value of the sports industry is estimated at US$756 billion annually.
In the face of COVID-19, many millions of jobs are therefore at risk globally,
not only for sports professionals but also for those in related retail and
sporting services industries connected with leagues and events, which include
travel, tourism, infrastructure, transportation, catering and media
broadcasting, among others. Professional athletes are also under pressure to
reschedule their training, while trying to stay fit at home, and they risk
losing professional sponsors who may not support them as initially agreed
(Brito, & Meester, 2020).
In addition to
economic repercussions, the cancellation of games also impacts many social
benefits of global and regional sport events, which can cement social cohesion,
contribute to the social and emotional excitement of fans, as well as their
identification with athletes leading to greater physical activity of
individuals. Sport has long been considered a valuable tool for fostering
communication and building bridges between communities and generations. Through
sport, various social groups are able to play a more central role towards
social transformation and development, particularly in divided societies.
Within this context, sport is used as a tool for creating learning
opportunities and accessing often marginal or at-risk populations (Brito, &
Meester, 2020).
Major sporting
organizations have shown their solidarity with efforts to reduce the spread of
the virus. For example, FIFA has teamed up with the World Health Organization
(WHO) and launched a ‘Pass the message to kick out coronavirus’ campaign led by
well-known football players in 13 languages, calling on people to follow five
key steps to stop the spread of the disease focused on hand washing, coughing
etiquette, not touching one’s face, physical distance and staying home if
feeling unwell. Other international sport for development and peace
organizations have come together to support one another in solidarity during
this time, for example, through periodic online community discussions to share
challenge and issues. Participants in such online dialogues have also sought to
devise innovative solutions to larger social issues, for example, by
identifying ways that sporting organizations can respond to problems faced by
vulnerable people who normally participate in sporting programmes in low income
communities but who are now unable to, given restriction to movement
(Starekova, & Bluemke, 2021).
The closure of
education institutions around the world due to COVID-19 has also impacted the
sports education sector, which is comprised of a broad range of stakeholders,
including national ministries and local authorities, public and private
education institutions, sports organizations and athletes, NGOs and the
business community, teachers, scholars and coaches, parents and, first and
foremost, the – mostly young – learners. While this community has been severely
impacted by the current crisis, it can also be a key contributor to solutions
to contain and overcome it, as well as in promoting rights and values in times
of social distancing (Starekova & Bluemke, 2021). As the world begins to
recover from COVID-19, there will be significant issues to be addressed to
ensure the safety of sporting events at all levels and the well-being of
sporting organizations. In the short term, these will include the adaptation of
events to ensure the safety of athletes, fans and vendors, among others. In the
medium term, in the face of an anticipated global recession, there may also be
a need to take measures to support participation in sporting organizations,
particularly for youth sports. The global outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in
closure of gyms, stadiums, pools, dance and fitness studios, physiotherapy
centres, parks and playgrounds. Many individuals are therefore not able to
actively participate in their regular individual or group sporting or physical
activities outside of their homes. Under such conditions, many tend to be less
physically active, have longer screen time, irregular sleep patterns as well as
worse diets, resulting in weight gain and loss of physical fitness. Low-income
families are especially vulnerable to negative effects of stay at home rules as
they tend to have sub-standard accommodations and more confined spaces, making
it difficult to engage in physical exercise (Watson, 2021).
The World Health
Organization, (WHO) (2020), recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75
minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. The benefits of such
periodic exercise are proven very helpful, especially in times of anxiety,
crisis and fear. There are concerns therefore that, in the context of the
pandemic, lack of access to regular sporting or exercise routines, may result
in challenges to the immune system, physical health, including by leading to
the commencement of or exacerbating existing diseases that have their roots in
a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of access to exercise and physical activity can
also have mental health impacts, which can compound stress or anxiety that many
will experience in the face of isolation from normal social life. Possible loss
of family or friends from the virus and impact of the virus on one’s economic
wellbeing and access to nutrition will exacerbate these effects. For many,
exercising at home without any equipment and limited space can still be
possible. For those whose home life can involve long periods of sitting, there
may be options to be more active during the day, for example by stretching,
doing housework, climbing stairs or dancing to music. In addition, particularly
for those who have internet access, there are many free resources on how to
stay active during the pandemic. Physical fitness games, for example, can be
appealing to people of all ages and be used in small spaces (WHO, 2021).
The global
community has adapted rapidly by creating online content tailored to different
people; from free tutorials on social media, to stretching, meditation, yoga
and dance classes in which the whole family can participate. Educational
institutions are providing online learning resources for students to follow at
home. Many fitness studios are offering reduced rate subscriptions to apps and
online video and audio classes of varying lengths that change daily. There are
countless live fitness demonstrations available on social media platforms. Many
of these classes do not require special equipment and some feature everyday
household objects instead of weights. Such online offerings can serve to
increase access to instructors or classes that would otherwise be inaccessible.
However, access to such resources is far from universal, as not everyone has
access to digital technologies (Atherstone, Siegel, et. al, 2021). For
individuals in poorer communities and in many developing countries, access to
broadband Internet is often problematic or non-existent. The digital divide has
thus not only an impact on distance banking, learning or communication, but
also on benefitting from accessing virtual sport opportunities. Radio and
television programmes that activate people as well as distribution of printed
material that encourages physical activity are crucial in bridging the digital
divide for many households living in precarious conditions. Young people are
particularly affected by social and physical distancing, considering sport is
commonly used as a tool to foster cooperation and sportsmanship, promote
respectful competition, and learn to manage conflict. Without sport, many young
people are losing the support system that such participation provided.
Currently some organizations, and schools have begun using virtual training as a
method for leagues, coaches and young people to remain engaged in sport
activities while remaining in their homes (WHO, 2021).
Statement of Problem
During sports,
the risk of transmission is increased by physical contact (e.g., tackling,
checking); face-to-face contact; and heavier breathing caused by physical
exertion, intensity of play, yelling, screaming, and spitting. The risk of
transmission increases when sports are played indoors, particularly in settings
with low relative humidity (dry air) or without good airflow, as virus
particles can linger in the air for longer periods of time. These are all
factors that should be considered when deciding to participate in sports.
People participating in sports activities are also usually together for an
extended time (putting on and removing equipment/uniforms, practice and game
time, transportation to and from events). In addition, social networks involving
athletes and teams add another layer of transmission risk, especially if public
health recommendations (i.e., social distancing, face coverings) are not
followed closely before and after games. Sports activities often involve large
numbers of people including athletes, coaches, and team managers, putting more
than athletes at risk. I order to cob the spread of coid-19 during sports
performance experts and health scientists have develop certain protocols that
if strictly observed will help to reduce to the barest minimum the spread of
covid-19. But how successful have these measures been in copping the spread of
this pandemic among young athletes in secondary schools? This study therefore
seeks to investigate the impact of these protocols on sports participation
among students in secondary schools, specifically in Igueben Local Government
Area of Edo State.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of
this study is to investigate the impact of corona virus protocols on sports
participation among secondary school students in Igueben Local Government Area
of Edo State. Specifically, the study seeks to;
·
Examine
the effects of corona virus protocols on sports participation among students in
secondary school?
·
Investigate
the level of adherence to covid-19 sports protocols among students in secondary
school?
·
Examine
the attitude of secondary school students towards covid-19 sports protocol in
Igueben local government area?
Research Question
The following
research questions were raised to guide the study:
- What are the effects of corona virus protocols on
sports participation among students in secondary school?
- What is the level of adherence to covid-19 sports
protocols among students in secondary school?
- What is the attitude of secondary school students
towards covid-19 sports protocol in Igueben local government area?
Significance
of the study
It is expected that the findings of this
study will be beneficial:
·
This study will help enlighten students
on the protocols put in place to ensure safety in sports participation, thus
handling the fear of infection through sports participation
·
It will enlighten coaches, trainers and
instructors in secondary school and amateur, level on the required protocols
that guarantees the safety of their athlete in the post coid-19 era.
·
This information from this study will
make it easier for parents to release their children for full participation in
physical activities without undue fear of coid-19 infection.
Scope/Delimitation
of the Study
This study is delimited
to secondary school students in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State. The
study concerns itself, only, with the impact of covid-19 protocols on sports
performance among secondary school students. There are 14 public schools and
28, government approved, private secondary schools in Igueben Local Government
Area.
Limitation
of the study
The researcher
envisages some likely problems in the course of this study such as:
- Inability
to get the appropriate information from respondents.
- Failure, of
respondents to return all administered questionnaire.
- Irregular
completion of the questionnaires which may lead to rejection.
Operational
Definition of terms
- Corona Virus: Coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as illness caused by a novel
coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV)
- Sports: Any
athletic activity that uses physical skills often competitive.
- Sports participation: Sports participation is the act of being
actively involved in organized or competitive sports for the purpose of
skill acquisition and fitness.
- Impact: The extent
to which one phenomenon affects another
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