ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to
assess the impact
regular
training on the performance related fitness level of undergraduates in Lagos
state. An experimental research method was used to carry out this study. A
two group research design was used for
this study. Thus data was collected after an eight (8) week exercise period, analyzed
and interpreted. The population for this study consists of full time undergraduate students in the University of Lagos. A total of twenty (20) students were used and selected through the
purposive sampling technique. Ten (10)
students who regularly attended the aerobics program in the department of Human
Kinetics and Health Education formed group A, while ten (10) sedentary students
formed group B. Standardized tests and standardized
instruments were used for data collection. The instruments to be used were
tested and ensured that they are accurate before they were used to collect
data. The instruments used meet the standard norm for measurement. The data
obtained with each test was collected and the data written out for each sample. The data collected
from the study were analysed using the simple percentages for data presentation
on demographic characteristics, while the inferential statistics of t-test was
used in testing the entire stated hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance.
All of the four stated hypotheses formulated, were rejected. The finding of
this study shows that there was
a significant difference between the speed, balance, coordination and agility of undergraduates
in Lagos state who
regularly train and those that don’t.
Based
on the findings and of the study it was recommended that the importance of exercise
should be emphasized to sedentary students by university administrators and
managers in the country. The study also recommends that special time should be
set aside for students at their leisure time to participate in sports and
exercise while resting from course work.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background
of the Study 1
Statement of Problem 4
Purpose of the Study 5
Research Questions 6
Research Hypotheses 6
Significance of the Study 7
Delimitation of the Study 8
Limitation of the Study 8
Definition of Terms 8
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Historical
view on exercise 10
Importance
of exercise to individuals 13
Concept of physical fitness 15
Component of physical fitness 16
Principles of exercise training 29
Factors affecting physical fitness 35
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Method 39
Research Design 40
Population 40
Sample and Sampling Technique 40
Research Instrument 41
Research Instrument 41
Validity and Reliability of Research Instrument 41
Procedure for Data Collection 41
Procedure for Data Analysis 42
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
Presentation
of Data 43
Testing of
Hypothesis 44
Discussion of
Findings 48
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary 51
Conclusions 52
Recommendations 53
REFERENCES 54
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Exercise is the training of the body to improve
its function and enhance its fitness. The terms exercise and physical
activity are often used interchangeably, but this article will distinguish
between them. Physical activity is an inclusive term that refers to any
expenditure of energy brought about by bodily movement via the skeletal
muscles; as such, it includes the complete spectrum of activity from very low
resting levels to maximal exertion. Exercise is a component of physical
activity. The distinguishing characteristic of exercise is that it is a
structured activity specifically planned to develop and maintain physical
fitness. Physical conditioning refers to the development
of physical fitness through the adaptation of the body and its various systems
to an exercise program (Britannica, 2014).
According to Fit-4life
(2014) physical fitness is the ability to meet the physical demands of daily
life and to resist diseases associated with inactivity. Physical fitness
enables people to perform well in sports and other activities and to look and
feel their best. Physical fitness can be classified into two main kinds which include
performance-related and health-related. People face different physical demands
in the course of their occupations and leisure time. Therefore, the necessary
type of conditioning, which may be called performance-related physical fitness,
varies from one individual to another. For example, a stockbroker who runs marathon
races for recreation requires a high capacity of the heart and lungs to deliver
oxygen to leg muscles. On the other hand, a factory worker who lifts heavy
crates but reads for relaxation primarily requires great leg and upper body
strength to meet daily physical challenges. The requirements for health-related
fitness are similar for all people. Everyone must maintain certain aspects of
health-related fitness to feel good and to resist disease.
Performance-related physical fitness includes such qualities
as muscular strength, aerobic power, anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, and
flexibility. Muscular strength is the ability to produce force in a single
effort. This type of strength is vital to such athletes as discus and javelin
throwers, football linemen, shot-putters, and powerlifters. Aerobic power is
the highest rate at which a person's body can produce energy in the muscles
through the use of oxygen. Aerobic power depends on good lung function to
supply oxygen to the blood, a strong heart to pump blood to the muscles, and
muscles that are efficient in using the oxygen sent to them. Great aerobic
power is common among endurance athletes, including cyclists, distance runners,
rowers, and distance swimmers. These athletes may have twice the aerobic power
of untrained people. Anaerobic power is the ability to produce great force
quickly, a combination of speed and strength. The term anaerobic means without
oxygen. Highly anaerobic activities use up energy so fast that they can be
sustained for only 30 seconds or less. Anaerobic power is needed in such events
as the high jump, long jump, 50- to 100-meter sprints in track, rebounding in
basketball, and weightlifting. Anaerobic capacity is the ability to sustain
great force for up to 30 seconds. It is important in 200- and 300-meter sprints
in track; 25- and 50-meter swims; and any sport involving brief bursts of
maximum effort. Flexibility is the range of motion of body joints. Great
flexibility is needed in such activities as dance, gymnastics, high jumping,
hurdling, long jumping, and wrestling. A high degree of flexibility may also
help prevent certain sports injuries (Fit-4life, 2014).
Appropriate exercise increases the strength and endurance of
skeletal muscles. Increases in muscular strength are associated with increases
in muscle mass; increases in muscular endurance are associated with improved
blood flow to the working muscles. These results are achieved by resistance training. Any exercise that causes the muscle
to increase its tension, whether or not the muscle actually shortens during
contraction, provides an appropriate strength-training stimulus. Resistance can
be applied to a muscle group by attempting to move an immovable object, by
working one muscle group against another, by lifting heavy weights, or by using
special strength-training machines and devices. There is a wide selection of
strength-training equipment that, when used properly, can increase muscular
strength and endurance. It is possible that some of the equipment is more
efficient in developing maximal performance, which is important for competitive
athletes. But for the average individual, who is training to maintain an
acceptable level of muscular fitness, any one device or program is probably
about as good as another (Britannica, 2014).
Statement of Problem
Physical fitness is been viewed as the ability of an
individual to carry out daily activities with enough vigor and alertness
without having undue fatigue and still having enough energy in reserves for
emergency situations. The main component of physical fitness is either health
related or performance related. The health related component
includes cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, endurance, flexibility and
body composition while the performance related component includes speed, power,
agility, balance, coordination and reaction time. Regular training can be of
great benefit to improving these components of physical fitness if done in the
right frequency, intensity and duration.
The pertinent issue in this
discourse is whether regular training will have any effects on the performance
related fitness level of students, this forms the basis for carrying out this
research.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study was to
determine the effects of regular training on the performance
related fitness level of undergraduates in Lagos state.
Other
purpose of the study includes;
1.
To determine if regular training will
have any impact on the speed of undergraduates in Lagos state.
2.
To determine the impact of regular
training on the balance of undergraduates in Lagos state.
3.
To determine if regular training will
have any impact on the coordination of undergraduates in Lagos state.
4.
To determine if regular training will
have any impact on the agility of undergraduates in Lagos state.
Research Questions
The
following research questions were raised;
1.
What will be the effect of regular
training will have any impact on the speed of undergraduates in Lagos state?
2.
To what extent will regular training
affect the balance of undergraduates in Lagos state?
3.
Will regular training will
have any impact on the coordination of undergraduates in Lagos state?
4.
What is the impact of regular training
on the agility of undergraduates in Lagos state?
Research Hypotheses
The following research hypotheses
were raised and tested;
1. There will
be no significant difference between the speed of undergraduates
in Lagos state who regularly train and those that don’t.
2. There will
be no significant difference between the balance of undergraduates
in Lagos state who regularly train and those that don’t.
3. There will
be no significant difference between the coordination of undergraduates
in Lagos state who regularly train and those that don’t.
4. There will
be no significant difference between the agility of undergraduates
in Lagos state who regularly train and those that don’t.
Significance of the Study
This study
is important to students as it will enable them understand the role of regular
training on their performance related fitness level.
This study
is also useful to coaches, gym instructors, athlete trainers, and fitness
coaches in other to make them understand the effect regular
training on the performance related fitness level undergraduates in Lagos state.
It would
also make them understand various activities that can be used to build the
performance related components of physical fitness and improve health
generally.
Furthermore,
the study will be an addition to existing knowledge in the area of exercise
physiology and physical fitness. It will also serve as basis for further
studies.
Delimitation of the Study
This study was delimited to full
time undergraduate students in the University of Lagos. These students were
selected through the purposive sampling technique and the two groups research
design was adapted in carrying out this study.
The variables to be tested included
the performance related physical fitness index of students, which included
speed, coordination, balance and agility. Ten (10) students who regularly
attended the aerobics program in the department of Human Kinetics and Health
Education formed a group, while ten (10) sedentary students formed the other group.
Limitation of the Study
The limitation
that was be encountered during this research was getting students that were
willingly and ready to participate in this study. Hence the purposive sampling
technique was used for this study.
Definition of Terms
Health: This
is used to describe a state of physical, social and mental well-being among
students.
Agility: The ability of the body to change direction
quickly
Balance: The
ability to maintain an upright posture while still or moving
Coordination: Integration
with hand and/or foot movements with the input of the senses.
Power: The
ability of students to do strength work at an explosive pace.
Reaction Time: Amount
of time it takes students to get moving.
Speed: This
refers to how fast students can run.
Performance Related: These are component of physical fitness that has to do with
the skill level of students. They include speed, power, agility,
balance, coordination and reaction time.
Physical Fitness: It
refers to the ability of students to perform well in daily activities without
fatigue and still have some sufficient energy for emergencies.
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