Status of health-related fitness components among junior secondary school learners in Kakamega County, Kenya

Celestine Nakhumicha Omar; Elizabeth Msee; Issah Kweyu

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.3.108

Authors

Celestine Nakhumicha Omar Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5823-7843
Elizabeth Msee Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Issah Kweyu Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9823-2859

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.3.108

Keywords:

Health Related Physical Fitness Components, Health Belief Model, Junior School Learner, Physical Activity, Physical Education

Abstract

Physical fitness is a primary requirement for children growth because of its contribution to health promotion. This has been highlighted by the competency based education [CBE] in Kenya where sports and arts has been recognized as one of the three learning pathways beside science, Technology and Mathematics and Social Science under CBEs. It is on this premise that the study sought to establish the status of health related fitness among junior school learners in Kakamega County Kenya was developed guided by the health belief theory. This study, under a cross sectional analytical research design targeted grade 9 learners (boys and girls) in Kakamega County Kenya with the five health related components of physical fitness (cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition) as study variables. Based on available Ministry of Education data, 450 learners were sampled for the study through Fischer’s formulae. Prerequisite administrative and ethical clearance were met as per ethical protocols. Data were collected using Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL) protocol and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 25. Descriptive and parametric statistics - gender based Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) - were obtained. Examination of health related components of physical fitness had higher scores for muscular strength with flexibility and body composition showing average scores and normal performance respectively. However, cardio-respiratory and muscular endurance reported low scores. There was significant difference between boys and girls on cardio - respiratory endurance. (N=450, p=000); muscular strength (N=450, p= and muscular endurance (N=450, p=000,) with boys having higher scores than girls. No significant difference was observed on flexibility (N=450, p= .081) and body composition (N=450, p= .358). It was concluded that performance of learners on health related components of physical fitness was within acceptable scores despite statistically significant gender differences on some variables. The study recommended for emphasis by school administrators to adhere to during PE because of its implications to health and positive lifestyle. Also a similar study could be replicated at different locations and target population for comparative learning and setting national norms.

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