THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PUPIL IN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN UGHELI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE
ABSTRACT
This research was aimed at finding the effects of exercise on the academic performance of pupils in primary schools in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. In this regard, five research questions were raised. The research instrument used in the study was the questionnaire while simple percentage was used in analyzing the data generated through the use of the questionnaire. From the analysis of the data collected, a number of findings were made, namely; (1) exercise could improve mental alertness in primary schools, (2) regular exercise could improve physical fitness, (3) regular exercise could increase academic achievement in primary schools (4) government did not provide adequate sport kits in primary schools and (5) primary schools in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State did not have adequate number of physical and health education teachers. On the basis of the findings, recommendations were made
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Objective of the study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the study
1.6 Scope of the study
1.7 Limitation of the study
1.8 Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sample size determination
3.5 Sample size selection technique and procedure
3.6 Research Instrument and Administration
3.7 Method of data collection
3.8 Method of data analysis
3.9 Validity of the study
3.10 Reliability of the study
3.11 Ethical consideration
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sample size determination
3.5 Sample size selection technique and procedure
3.6 Research Instrument and Administration
3.7 Method of data collection
3.8 Method of data analysis
3.9 Validity of the study
3.10 Reliability of the study
3.11 Ethical consideration
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Descriptive Analysis
4.3 Inferential Statistics
CHAPTERFIVE:SUMMARY,CONCLUSION &RECOMENDATION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Exercise is any bodily movement produced by voluntary body muscles that require energy expenditure. Exercise has traditionally been considered in physical education as an essential part of curricula in promoting a range of benefits including general health, cognitive, development, motor skills and social behaviour (Pate, Neill and Mclver,2011). The philosophy “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” was the motive behind the inclusion of physical education along with the curriculum subjects. Physical education is the systematic education of physical activity to develop a man physically, mentally, emotionally and socially competent through an active medium.
Physical education can help the students to develop the knowledge, attitudes, motor and behaviour skills, and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physically active lifestyle (World Health Organization,2013). The outcomes of a quality physical activity program are very important to adolescents. Bodily benefits of sports activities, like improved aerobic power, increased muscle strength, and fighting obesity have been demonstrated clearly. Physical activity started with the beginning of life and it is used for different purposes in time. Physical activity are the activities involving power and skills, competition, strategy, chance and engaged in for the enjoyment, satisfaction and personal gain (such as income) of the participant, and others (e.g., spectators), including organized and recreational Physical activity, as well as Physical activity as entertainment (Ocal, 2006). Students’ engagement in Physical activity is known to contribute to the developmental outcomes for a healthy lifestyle, where they learn about social and cognitive skills (Choi et al, 2014). More broadly, engagement in Physical activity is also recognized to contribute a range of positive outcomes, specifically; physical and mental, social wellbeing, cognitive and academic performance (Bailey et al, 2013). In order for school children to achieve such performance, it is recognized that physical education in schools is an ideal vehicle to promote Physical activity due to its availability to all young people. Whilst teachers also have opportunity to integrate into the overall education process (Telford et al 2012). The success in physical education may give confidence and assurance in the academic realm if the confidence is treated in a supportive and encouraging ways at the secondary stage; it should be made more applicable and attractive to students in order to give physical education a better status within the educational system. The tailoring of the physical education curriculum and programmes to meet the student needs can do much to help the accomplishment of the aims of physical education within the educational system, but it can also aid the perspectives which are presented to society in general (Kanan, 2006).
The fact that regular exercise as noted by Bauman, (2004) have mental and social health benefits as the basis of achieving academic excellence is still like a fantasy to the parents especially those in Delta State, The pupil of secondary schools in this area have been chosen because of their suitability in the sense that the area is remote and underdeveloped (rural area) and the respondents are children of ages 7-11years. For reasonable developments and improvements in both academics and Physical activity to be made in the rural areas, children or students of the age mentioned above must be the target.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Several mechanisms have been proposed that might explain the positive association between physical fitness and academic performance. There is evidence that through regular participation in physical exercise of moderate or vigorous intensity, changes in cardiovascular fitness occur, leading to short and long-term effects on cognitive performance which need for successful academic achievement. Regarding the short-term effects, immediate changes in concentration levels of neurotransmitters follow after exercise. For ex-ample, exercise increases concentrations of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which stimulates learning and memory. On the long term, constant exercise will lead to morphological brain changes, caused by up-regulation of growth factors which are responsible for synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. In addition, some studies suggest that the cognitive demands that underlie exercise might improve cognitive growth. For example, team sport games among pupils or physical education contains several cognitive challenging demands, such as setting goals, making de-cisions, employing different strategies and working together with teammates. The cognitive skills learned during these activities are assumed to benefit academic performance. However It is regrettable that the only Physical activity facility that is still maintaining its position in some rural primary schools is the football field. Thus from personal observation and experience, only one or probably two out of ten schools can boast of buying one football (soccer ball) for their pupil in two years. It is in the light of addressing these odds that the researcher decided to investigate the effect of exercise on the academic performance of primary school pupils.
1.3 Objective of the study
The broad focus of this study is to examine the effect of exercise on the academic performance of primary school pupils in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Specifically the study seeks to:
1. Examine the benefit of physical exercise among primary school pupils
2. To find out if physical exercise have any effect on the academic performance of pupils
3. To ascertain if there is any significant relationship between physical exercise and pupil academic performance
1.4 Research Questions
1. What is the the benefit of physical exercise to primary school pupils.
2. Doe physical exercise have any effect on the academic performance of pupils.
3. Is any significant relationship between physical exercise and pupil academic performance
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
H0: physical exercise does not have any effect on the academic performance of pupils
H1: physical exercise does have an effect on the academic performance of pupils
H0: there is no significant relationship between physical exercise and pupil academic performance
H2: there is a significant relationship between physical exercise and pupil academic performance
1.6 Significance of the study
The study will be of great significance because it will enable the government to understand the health benefits of Physical activity and making provisions adequately of such activities e.g. Equipment, facilities, as well as conducive environment for its practicability. For instance, track and field events, standardized dimensioned football pitch, basketball court, badminton, handball court, etc. It will equally assist school authorities and teachers to understand the significance of maintaining school sporting equipment to the betterment of learning, social and mental well-being. Furthermore, it will help in changing the attitude of Physical activity personnel in school by making Physical activity interesting to parents, communities, organizations, and philanthropists to contribute their own quota so as to complement or supplement students’ participation in Physical exercise. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and serve a reference material to other scholars who wishes to conduct further research in a related topic.
1.7 Scope of the study
The scope of this study borders on the effect of exercise on the academic performance of primary school pupil. The study will ascertain the health and cognitive benefit of physical exercise to primary school pupil. The study is however delimited to Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
1.8 Limitation of the study
The following were some difficulties which the researcher encountered:
1. The study was limited to few samples as some respondents were not willing to fill the questionnaire given to them
2. Another difficulty the researcher encountered was the issue of inadequate funds
3. Insufficient time was also a difficulty
4. High cost of printing materials was also a problem to the researcher
1.8 Definition of terms
Influence: If someone has influence, they have power to change how things develop or how people behave.
Sport: It is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or the others for entertainment.
Participation: This is the action in taking part in something; it is the act of sharing in activities of a group.
Pupil: A formal learner or one who studies at school in order to learn and acquire skills that will help them grow into responsible being in the society.
Academic Performance: Relating to education especially in a school setting in order to determine how good, fair and poor a student is doing at the end of a term, semester or session after conducting a test or an examination.
