INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON BODY COMPOSITION OF IMPAIRED STUDENTS IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Abstract

The study determined the influence of physical activity on body composition of impaired students in Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. Sample comprised of 129 impaired students in FCEO using purposive sampling technique. A validated adapted questionnaire with .83r was used alongside other standardised and calibrated instruments for data collection. Percentage, mean, standard deviation, Multiple regression and t-test were used were used to analyse the data collected. The study found that there was significant influence of physical activity level on only the waist-hip-ratio of the VI students (R .357, R2 .127, SEE 0.036, F(1, 65) = 9.473, p .003); HI students were significantly more physically active than the VI students (MD- 630.48, SED -109.42 METs per week, t(127) = 5.660, p .000); there was no significant difference in body composition variables of the participants, (WC, t=0.612, p>0.05; BMI, t=0.263, p>0.05; and WHR, t=1.208, p>0.05). Based on the findings, it was concluded that; impaired students of FCEO are physically active with HI students having higher PAL than VI students; and impaired students were healthy. Therefore, exercise intervention programmes that increases PAL and enhances health promotion should be organised for students with special-needs.