PERSONAL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF RECREATIONAL SPORTS INVOLVEMENT AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRES, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Recreational Sports Involvement (RSP) has been recognized for its preventive and
potential curative effects on various medical conditions. However, research on RSP
remains limited, particularly among healthcare professionals. This study investigated
how personal factors predict RSP among healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in
Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) across South-western Nigeria. Descriptive survey
design was employed, with data collected from 723 respondents using a validated, self
developed questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple
regression analysis. Findings revealed a generally low level of RSP among HCPs in the
selected FMCs. There was a significant joint prediction of personal factors of lifestyle,
skill level and health benefit on RSP among the respondents (F(3,719)=379.292, p<0.05).
There were significant relative predictions of lifestyle (β=-0.854, p<0.05) and skill level
(β=0.169, p<0.05) on RSP among the respondents, while health benefit (β=-0.012,
p>0.05) did not. The study concluded that recreational sports involvement (RSP) was
generally low among healthcare professionals. Personal factors were found to
significantly predict RSP, with lifestyle and skill level showing significant individual
contributions, while perceived health benefits did not. It was recommended that
management of Federal Medical Centres in South-western Nigeria should strengthen
efforts to implement targeted health education programmes promoting RSP among
healthcare professionals.