PERCEPTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON THE IMPACT OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS IN MINNA, NIGER STATE NIGERIA
Sunday Usman Jonathan; Dahiru A Danasabe & Abdul Mohammed
Department of Human Kinetic and Health Education
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria
Email: danasabedahiru39@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Recreational activities play a vital role to the development of the well being of individuals. This study investigated the perception of secondary school teachers in Minna metropolis on the impact of recreational activities on mental and physical fitness of individuals. The study used stratified and random sampling technique. A total of sample of 140 respondents were used including male and female folks. The instrument used for data collection was a self developed questionnaire titled “Recreational Activities for Mental and Physical Fitness of the Body” (RAPMFB) validated by two Physical Education experts from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai Niger State. Test and re-test method was used within two weeks interval to obtain reliability coefficient of 0.83, which was found suitable for the study. The result of the study revealed that teachers conceded positively to the statement on the impact of recreational activities on the basis of gender and marital status. It was also revealed that recreational activities enhance smooth movement of joints and muscles for daily engagement, mitigate the rate of stress, anxiety and emotional imbalance, rejuvenate ones body, contribute to mental alertness required to face challenges of daily life. The researchers concluded that recreational activities impacted positively to mental and physical wellbeing of individuals and recommended that schools authorities and individuals should provide adequate sports facilities and equipments, to increase the level of involvement in regular recreational activities among teachers in secondary schools for effective service delivery in Niger State.
Keywords: Perception, Recreational activities, Mental and Physical fitness,
