R&P Entries
Articles in Journals
Apaak, D. & Sarpong, E. O. (2015). Internal Challenges Affecting Academic Performance of Student-Athletes in Ghanaian Public Universities. IISTE's Journal of Education and Practice, 6,
Abstract
This paper examined internal challenges affecting academic performance of student-athletes in Ghanaian public universities, using a descriptive survey research design. Proportionate random sampling technique was employed to select Three Hundred and Thirty-Two (332) respondents for the study. The instrument used in gathering data for the study was a questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Internal Challenges Affecting University Athletes (QICAUA)” structured and developed by researchers. The QICAUA was validated by two jurors in the field of physical education and sport, from Ghana and Nigeria and pilot tested using test-retest method. A reliability correlation coefficient of .85r was obtained from the reliability testing. In all, two research hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Data collected were analyzed using chi-square (x2) statistical method. The findings from the study showed that time constraints and physical/emotional strain were significant internal challenges affecting the academic performance of studentathletes in Ghanaian public universities. Based on these findings, the study recommends that Management of universities, university sports administrators and the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) should collaborate to schedule sports programmes in such a way that student-athletes will have adequate time for both academics and sports; student-athletes should be counselled on how to manage their time effectively on campus; and coaches should ensure that student-athletes are not over worked physically and emotionally during training and competitions. Keywords: Academic Performance; Challenge; Public Universities; Student-Athlete.
This paper examined internal challenges affecting academic performance of student-athletes in Ghanaian public universities, using a descriptive survey research design. Proportionate random sampling technique was employed to select Three Hundred and Thirty-Two (332) respondents for the study. The instrument used in gathering data for the study was a questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Internal Challenges Affecting University Athletes (QICAUA)” structured and developed by researchers. The QICAUA was validated by two jurors in the field of physical education and sport, from Ghana and Nigeria and pilot tested using test-retest method. A reliability correlation coefficient of .85r was obtained from the reliability testing. In all, two research hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Data collected were analyzed using chi-square (x2) statistical method. The findings from the study showed that time constraints and physical/emotional strain were significant internal challenges affecting the academic performance of studentathletes in Ghanaian public universities. Based on these findings, the study recommends that Management of universities, university sports administrators and the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) should collaborate to schedule sports programmes in such a way that student-athletes will have adequate time for both academics and sports; student-athletes should be counselled on how to manage their time effectively on campus; and coaches should ensure that student-athletes are not over worked physically and emotionally during training and competitions. Keywords: Academic Performance; Challenge; Public Universities; Student-Athlete.
Sarpong,E. O. Apaak, D. & Dominic, O.L. (2015). Reported Physical Activity Levels And Equipment Use As Predictors of Body Composition of Members In Ghanaian Fitness Clubs. Researchjournali's Journal of Public Health, 1,
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Ghanaian adults‟ self-reported physical activity and exercise equipment use reflected their fitness levels in body composition as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage (BFP) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio(WHR) using the descriptive correlational study design. The population for the study was all the 40 registered Fitness Clubs in the Western Region of Ghana with an accessible population of 550 members. A total of Fifty-Five (55) respondents were randomly selected as the sample using the Proportionate Sampling by Size Technique .Data was collected through a researcher-designed Structured Questionnaire which was validated by three experts that elicited information from members on reported level of physical activity and equipment use. Standardized measurements of BMI, WHR and BFP were used to assess body composition. Inferential statistics of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient and Stepwise Regression analysis were employed to test three hypotheses that were generated at a significant level of 0.05. Findings of this study revealed that there were no significant relationship between body composition and reported physical activity and equipment use among apparently healthy Ghanaian adults in fitness clubs; also the independent variables were not significant predictors of body composition. Based on the findings it was recommended that physical fitness specialists should depend on reliable and objective recall measures than self-reports in assessing fitness parameters, again investigation into the effects of other factors like age, gender, dietary patterns that may predict body composition among adults should be the focus of future research. Keywords: Apparently Healthy Adults; Body Composition; Health-related Physical Fitness Components; Obesity; Physical activity
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Ghanaian adults‟ self-reported physical activity and exercise equipment use reflected their fitness levels in body composition as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage (BFP) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio(WHR) using the descriptive correlational study design. The population for the study was all the 40 registered Fitness Clubs in the Western Region of Ghana with an accessible population of 550 members. A total of Fifty-Five (55) respondents were randomly selected as the sample using the Proportionate Sampling by Size Technique .Data was collected through a researcher-designed Structured Questionnaire which was validated by three experts that elicited information from members on reported level of physical activity and equipment use. Standardized measurements of BMI, WHR and BFP were used to assess body composition. Inferential statistics of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient and Stepwise Regression analysis were employed to test three hypotheses that were generated at a significant level of 0.05. Findings of this study revealed that there were no significant relationship between body composition and reported physical activity and equipment use among apparently healthy Ghanaian adults in fitness clubs; also the independent variables were not significant predictors of body composition. Based on the findings it was recommended that physical fitness specialists should depend on reliable and objective recall measures than self-reports in assessing fitness parameters, again investigation into the effects of other factors like age, gender, dietary patterns that may predict body composition among adults should be the focus of future research. Keywords: Apparently Healthy Adults; Body Composition; Health-related Physical Fitness Components; Obesity; Physical activity
Apaak, D. & Sarpong, E. O. (2015). Gender Differences In Academic Performance Among University Athletes in Ghana:A Case Study of University of Cape Coast. Researchjournali's Journal of Education, 3,
Abstract
The study examined the academic performance records of student-athletes in the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana, to find out if there were any gender differences, using a comparative descriptive research design. The population for the study comprised all UCC registered athletes from 2008 to 2013, which was 866. Purposive sampling technique was used to select all 239 athletes who had completed their undergraduate programmes in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 as the sample. Secondary data, comprising registration numbers of athletes, gender, type of degree obtained, Final Cummulative Grade Point Average (FCGPA) and year of completion, was used in the study. All data were collected by the researcher. Percentages were used to answer the research question whiles the t-test for two independent groups was used to test the research hypotheses formulated using a significance level of .05 alpha. Findings of this study revealed that both male and female UCC student-athletes have been obtaining degrees at very high rates for some years now; also the study further showed that there were no gender differences among UCC students-athletes in terms of academic performance, concluding that participation in university sports does not affect academic performance of male and female UCC student-athletes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Management of UCC should continue to provide support for male and female students to continue to participate in university sports and also the Sports Section of UCC should, through orientation ceremonies for fresh students, inter-hall sports programmes and during sports discussions on campus radio, make the general student body aware that both male and female athletes perform well academically, as it could serve as motivation for more students to participate in sports. Keywords: Degrees Obtained; Gender; Student-Athlete; Sports Participation.
The study examined the academic performance records of student-athletes in the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana, to find out if there were any gender differences, using a comparative descriptive research design. The population for the study comprised all UCC registered athletes from 2008 to 2013, which was 866. Purposive sampling technique was used to select all 239 athletes who had completed their undergraduate programmes in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 as the sample. Secondary data, comprising registration numbers of athletes, gender, type of degree obtained, Final Cummulative Grade Point Average (FCGPA) and year of completion, was used in the study. All data were collected by the researcher. Percentages were used to answer the research question whiles the t-test for two independent groups was used to test the research hypotheses formulated using a significance level of .05 alpha. Findings of this study revealed that both male and female UCC student-athletes have been obtaining degrees at very high rates for some years now; also the study further showed that there were no gender differences among UCC students-athletes in terms of academic performance, concluding that participation in university sports does not affect academic performance of male and female UCC student-athletes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Management of UCC should continue to provide support for male and female students to continue to participate in university sports and also the Sports Section of UCC should, through orientation ceremonies for fresh students, inter-hall sports programmes and during sports discussions on campus radio, make the general student body aware that both male and female athletes perform well academically, as it could serve as motivation for more students to participate in sports. Keywords: Degrees Obtained; Gender; Student-Athlete; Sports Participation.
