Participation in School Based Physical Exercise and Academic Performance: A Need for Medical and Counselling Implication in Calabar South LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Participation in School Based Physical Exercise and Academic Performance: A Need for Medical and Counselling Implication in Calabar South LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria

Okoi, Nta Obono² & Anake, Paulina M¹

 ¹ Department of Guidance & Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
²Department of Family Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

Abstract: – The Main Purpose of This Study Was To Investigate The Relationship Between School Based Physical Exercise And Academic Performance: Need For Medical And Counselling Implication In Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria. To Achieve The Purpose, Two Null Hypotheses Were Generated To Direct The Study. Literature Review Was Done According To The Variables Under Study. Survey Research Design Was Adopted And A Sample Of Two Hundred (200) Students, Were Randomly Selected For The Study. The Questionnaire Was The Main Instrument Used For Data Collection. The Reliability Estimate Of The Instrument Was Established Through A Test-Retest Method. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis Was Used To Analyse The Variables Under Study At 0.05 Level Of Significance. The Result Of The Analysis Revealed That Students’ Attitudes Towards Physical Exercise And Participation In Morning Physical Exercise Significantly Relate To Academic Performance. Based On The Findings It Was Recommended That Students Should Develop Positive Attitude Towards Physical Education And Exercise To Enhance Their Physical, Cognitive And Improve Academic Performance.

Keywords: Participation, Physical Exercise, Academic Performance, Medical Counselling Implication

I. INTRODUCTION

Physical education is “a planned sequential standard-based programme of curricula and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge and behaviours of healthy active living, physical fitness, sportsmanship, self-efficacy and emotional intelligence”. As a school subject, physical education is focused on teaching school-aged children the science and methods of physically active, healthful living (National Association of State Boards of Education – NASBE, 2012). It is an avenue for engaging in developmentally appropriate physical activities designed for children to develop their fitness, gross motor skills and health.

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