School Sports Participation and Physical Fitness among Public Junior and Senior High School Students in Akuapem North Municipality, Ghana: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study

Schools organize sports programs that serve the essential purpose of promoting social development, physical activity and healthy living among their students, making it integral to education systems worldwide. However, physical activity levels among students have declined in recent years as a result of increased sedentary behaviours, digital screen exposure and urban lifestyles that limit movement. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of school sports programs on the fitness levels of students in selected schools, addressing the data gap with clear empirical data for the measurement of changes caused by engaging in these activities. The study used a mixed method approach. The population comprised of 5 Junior High School (JHS) and 3 Senior High Public Schools from Akuapem North Municipality. Stratified sampling was used to group the schools into JHS and SHS levels. The schools were randomly selected from each stratum. Purposive sampling was then used to select students representing participants and non-participants. 240 students were selected, comprising 120 sports participants and 120 non-participants. Data was collected using three main approaches namely Standardized fitness assessment tools, questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide. Independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA were used for the quantitative analysis while thematic analysis was applied for qualitative aspect. The result found significant differences in cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and Body Mass Index between participants and non-participants. The study concluded that students who participate in school sports have significantly higher fitness levels than those who do not.

School Sports Program, Physical Fitness, Physical activity, Health, Co-curricular activities

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