Cardiovascular Fitness Awareness and Exercise Habits Among Undergraduate Students in a Tertiary Institution
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63561/jhssr.v2i4.1116Keywords:
Cardiovascular Fitness awareness, Exercise Habits, Undergraduate studentsAbstract
Cardiovascular fitness (also known as cardiorespiratory or aerobic fitness) is a key indicator of an individual’s physical health. Engaging in regular exercise places repeated demands on the heart, lungs and blood vessels. In response to these demands, the cardiovascular system adapts. This study investigated cardiovascular fitness awareness and exercise habits among undergraduate students in a tertiary institution (Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt). A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study and the target population comprised all undergraduates of the University. Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample of 392 students was drawn however only 371 students participated in the study. Data were collected with a self-structured questionnaire titled Cardiovascular Fitness Awareness and Exercise Habits Questionnaire (CFAEHQ). Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, were used to answer research questions, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that 27.5% of respondents had low cardiovascular fitness awareness, 38.5% high, and 34.0% very high awareness. In terms of exercise habits, 48.0% had poor, 45.0% good, and 7.0% very good exercise habits. By academic level, 100-level students had the lowest awareness (72.7%), while 200- and 400-level students showed higher awareness levels. Socio-economic status also influenced awareness: 76.1% of students from lower-class backgrounds had low awareness, whereas 66.7% of middle-class students had very high awareness. A significant relationship was found between level of study (F=17.723, p=0.000) and socio-economic status (F=20.589, p=0.000) on cardiovascular fitness awareness. The study concluded that students’ academic level and socio-economic background significantly affect their awareness and participation in cardiovascular fitness activities, underscoring the need for health education programs that promote active lifestyles across all levels. It was recommended that the University Administration should incorporate cardiovascular health and fitness education into general studies or physical education courses for all levels, especially for 100-level students who showed the lowest awareness and poorest exercise habits. This will help build foundational knowledge early in their academic journey.
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