PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO ACTIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION AMONG YOUNG AND YOUNG ADULTS IN A SELECTED TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

From creation, man has aspired to live longer and to retain its youth for as long as possible. Before the advent of automation man was involved in a lot of unplanned physical activities as part of his daily living. But today, because of economic realities many are living a stereotyped life of work and more work, consumption of food rich in cholesterol sand are neck deep in sedentary lifestyle. Increased exposure to technology, western lifestyle and eating habits resulting to decreased participation in physical activity are contributory factors to improve health problems. This paper investigated the perceived barriers to participation in physical activities among youth of college age and suggests ways by which physical activities can become part of the daily lives of these youth. Participants for this study were 230 randomly selected youth in the tertiary institution (140 males and 90 females) descriptive survey was use the study and an adapted questionnaire was administered to collect data. Data collected were analysed using percentage statistics. The result revealed that prominent among the barriers leading to sedentism are: lack of time 93% (male) 79% (female), lack of adequate equipment 72% (male); 74.4% (female), and nearness to facility 96% (male) 87. 7% (female). All of these will affect the wellbeing of youth and young adults in general.