Physical Fitness Status of Male, and Female Non-Athlete in Nigeria

The study specifically investigated cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition of male and female non-athletes in Nigeria concerning their physical fitness status. A descriptive research design of survey type was used. The population comprised all 100 non-athletes. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. We structured a questionnaire validated by three experts. A reliability coefficient of 0.70 was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data collection was conducted by the researcher, and two trained research assistants. The four hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics of Chisquare at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of this study showed a significant influence of cardiorespiratory endurance as well as physical fitness of male and female non-athletes. Also, there was a significant influence on muscular strength and physical fitness, flexibility and physical fitness status, as well as body composition and physical fitness status of male and female non-athletes. Non-athlete students should engage in physical activities to promote cardiorespiratory endurance during any exercise. Non-athlete students should engage in regular training with weights or using the weight of the body for resistance during calisthenics exercises to promote muscular strength in them. © 2021 Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Article History: Received 12 Aug 2021 Revised 17 Sep 2021 Accepted 28 Oct 2021 Available online 30 Nov 2021 ____________________ Keyword: Athlete, Fitness, Non-Athlete, Physical Fitness. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research and Technology Journal homepage: http://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/IJERT/ Indonesian Journal of Educational Research and Technology 2 (2) (2022) 123-132


A B S T R A C T S A R T I C L E I N F O
The study specifically investigated cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition of male and female non-athletes in Nigeria concerning their physical fitness status. A descriptive research design of survey type was used. The population comprised all 100 non-athletes. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. We structured a questionnaire validated by three experts. A reliability coefficient of 0.70 was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data collection was conducted by the researcher, and two trained research assistants. The four hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics of Chisquare at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of this study showed a significant influence of cardiorespiratory endurance as well as physical fitness of male and female non-athletes. Also, there was a significant influence on muscular strength and physical fitness, flexibility and physical fitness status, as well as body composition and physical fitness status of male and female non-athletes. Non-athlete students should engage in physical activities to promote cardiorespiratory endurance during any exercise. Non-athlete students should engage in regular training with weights or using the weight of the body for resistance during calisthenics exercises to promote muscular strength in them.

INTRODUCTION
Physical fitness is a set of physical activities that allow the body to respond or adapt to the needs and stress of physical effort. Physical fitness allows the individual to perform some moderate-to-vigorous levels of physical activity without being tired. Physical fitness is defined as a physiological state of well-being that provides the foundation for the tasks of daily living, a degree of protection against chronic disease, and a basis for participation in sport. physical fitness describes a set of attributes relating to how well one performs the physical activity. Physical fitness is an important part of human functionality related to health, and wellbeing. Fitness is characterized by a person's capability to function in, and adapt to physical exercise, and can be demonstrated through the operation of body systems associated with energy supply, and energy transmission, circulation, and respiration, and the performance of muscles, and other soft tissues (Burtscher et al., 2021).
Physical fitness encompasses all, the body functions (skeletomuscular, cardiorespiratory, thermocirculator, psychoneurological, and endocrine-metabolic) involved in the performance of the daily physical activity and/or physical exercise. Regular physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle and helps to keep the body fit. The benefits inherent in physical activity are extensive. For example, physical activity enhances physical and mental wellness. When one is physically fit, everyday chores or tasks such as lifting things become easy, in addition, physical fitness helps people to reduce cases of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases.
School is the only opportunity to access for all children, and it is therefore crucial to their physical development, and health that they receive a high-quality experience that encourages them to continue to participate in physical activity teaches them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and the life skills to enable them to become active, and involved citizens. Physical literacy is as important to a child's education, and development as numeracy, and literacy (Caldwell et al., 2021). Taking part in sports can foster a positive self-image, teach children how to work as part of a team, and develop healthy exercise habits.
Physical fitness is required not only by athletes for better performance but also by nonathletes for the maintenance of a healthy body, and healthy mind. Fitness is generally considered to have five components: aerobic capacity, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Physical fitness is tested, the functional status of all these systems is being checked. This is the reason why physical fitness is nowadays considered as one of the most important health markers, as well as a predictor of morbidity, and mortality for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all causes (Metter et al., 2002). Within this decade, a decline in physical activity among students has been observed (Sacheck and Kuder, 2010).
Recent studies indicate that almost half of the U.S. student population do not participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity (Douglas et al., 1997). examined trends in body fat, body mass index, and physical fitness among male, and female college students. The researchers found that there was a small, and declining minority of male, and female students who are physically in shape. A high physical fitness level in childhood and adolescence is associated with more favorable health-related outcomes, concerning present, and future risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, skeletal health, and mental health, which highlights the need to include physical fitness testing in health and/or educational monitoring systems (Ortega et al., 2011). Vigorous physical activity (aerobic fitness) is closely associated with increases in maximum oxygen consumption. Compared multiple dimensions of self-concept for elite athletes to those for a group of non-athletes. It was discovered that both male and female athletes had significantly higher levels of self-esteem than male, and female nonathletes.
If we fail to encourage physical development, and prowess, we will undermine our capacity for thought, and work. Thus, physical fitness of our students is a vital prerequisite to a country's realization of its full potential as a nation, and the opportunity of each student to make full, and fruitful use of his/her capabilities (Galderisi et al., 2015).
Physical fitness plays a special role in the life of students, not only the students alone but the general public. The role includes; improved mental focus, and concentration levels, improved attention spans, aids in the development of learning strategies, helps control weight, improved motor skills, etc. to mention a few. The role that sports facilities play in physical fitness cannot be over-emphasized. Nigeria sports education has always been a weak field; this is a result of poor supply of sports equipment (sports facilities) in the school which also result in poor physical education activities. As a result of this, most students were unable to participate in physical activities which affect their physical fitness status. In some schools, the only sports facilities that they have is the football field, whereas all other sports facilities are not available due to lack of funds or management.
Physical fitness helps people to prevent heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other terminal diseases. They also demonstrate fundamental movement skills of locomotion (e.g. walking, running, and hopping), body management (e.g. balancing, tumbling, and dodging), and object control (e.g. throwing, catching, striking, and trapping) in free, and structured play settings. A safe, and supportive environment should be provided in which students can work, act, play, and explore. Small, and large play equipment is needed to enhance skills, coordination, and enjoyment.
Most students do not participate in physical activities because they see it as a time-wasting activity, and the result is that most of them lack the benefits derived from physical activities. Students who participate in physical activities usually set goals in the context of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. Students demonstrate the use of self-management skills to cope with the changing and often conflicting demands of a contemporary lifestyle. They can demonstrate the use of these skills to plan, and implement a physical activity, manage stress, and maintain their self-esteem. Therefore, the researcher finds it imperative to investigate the physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria.
The following research questions have been raised: (i) Does cardiorespiratory endurance promote the physical fitness status of male, and female non-athlete in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria? (ii) Does muscular strength promote the physical fitness status of male, and female nonathlete in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria? (iii) Does flexibility promote the physical fitness status of male, and female non-athlete in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria? (iv) Does body composition promote the physical fitness status of male, and female nonathlete in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria? The following hypotheses were formulated to guide the study: There is no significant influence on cardiorespiratory endurance, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria. (ii) Ho2 There is no significant influence on muscular strength, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria.

METHODS
The research design adopted for this research was a descriptive method of survey type. This method was appropriate in researching as it enables the researcher to describe through collecting, analyzing, and arriving at some conclusions, and recommendations based on the data that were collected from the respondents.
The population of this study comprised all non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School. A total of one hundred (100) respondents (non-athletes) participated in the study. The selection of non-athlete students for the study is with the help of the school game master. The procedure that was used in selecting samples for the study was purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques. The purposive sampling method was used to select JSS 1, and JSS 2 students, and also SSS 1, and SSS2 students. These enable the study to cut through the school. Simple random sampling was used to select the sample of 50 students from the Junior and Senior classes. Thus, making a total of one hundred respondents for the study.
A researcher-designed Structured Questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The instrument was divided into two sections (A, and B). Section A was used to elicit information on demographic data of the respondents while section B consists of items concerning the variables under study. The four-point modified Likert scale was adopted to indicate the respondent's level of agreement or disagreement with all items in the Questionnaire. The instrument was scored as follows: The draft of the Questionnaire was given to three experts in the field of Human Kinetics Education from the Department of Human Kinetics Education, University of Ilorin. Their comments and suggestions were used to make the final version of the questionnaire.
The reliability of the instrument was ascertained. The instrument was administered to a group of twenty (20) respondents in Unilorin secondary school who are not part of the study on two different occasions after four weeks. The two sets of data obtained were correlated using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) to determine the reliability of the instrument. A coefficient of 0.70 was obtained for the study. The copies of the instrument will be administered to both male, and female non-athlete students in the University of Ilorin Secondary School with the help of three (3) trained research assistants. The retrieval was done on the spot where possible with the help of the research assistants. Where the on-the-spot collection is not possible, a re-visit was done. The demographic data of the respondents were analyzed with the use of frequency counts, and percentage while inferential statistic of chi-square (²) was used to test the hypotheses set for the study at 0.05 alpha level.

RESULTS
This section dealt with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data collected on the Physical Fitness Status of Male, and Female Non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School. The output reveals the personal information of the respondents. Thus, this section describes the personal characteristics of the respondents (non-athletes) using frequency and percentage. Table 1 shows that the highest number of respondents were 52 males (52.0%). While the respondents, for the Junior class, and the Senior class had the same number. the table shows that the highest number of respondents were 52 males (52.0%). The respondents for the junior and the senior classes have the same number of respondents 50 (50.0%). Also, the mean age range of respondents was 15 years.

Hypothesis One
There is no significant influence on cardiorespiratory endurance, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria. Table 2 revealed that the calculated chi-square (²) value of 58.2, and degree of freedom (df) of 12, and critical value of 21.0. Since the Cal ² value of 58.2 is greater than the table value of 21.0, therefore the hypothesis is hereby rejected. It means that there is a significant influence on cardiorespiratory endurance, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin secondary school, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Hypothesis Two
There is no significant influence on muscular strength, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria Table 3 revealed that the calculated chi-square (²) value of 66.0, the value of 21.0, and degree of freedom (df) of 12. Since the Cal ² value of 66.0 is greater than the table value of 21.0, therefore the hypothesis is hereby rejected. It means that there is a significant influence on muscular strength, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin secondary school, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Hypothesis Three
There is no significant influence on flexibility, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria Table 4 revealed that the calculated chi-square (²) value of 36.3, the table value of 21.0, and degree of freedom (df) of 12. Since the Cal ² value of 36.3 is greater than the table value of 21.0, therefore the hypothesis is hereby rejected. It means that there is a significant influence on the flexibility as well as physical fitness status of male and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Hypothesis Four
There is no significant influence on body composition, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria Table 5 revealed that the calculated chi-square (²) value of 58.5, the table value of 21.0, and degree of freedom (df) of 12. Since the Cal ² value of 58.5 is greater than the table value of 21.0, therefore the hypothesis is hereby rejected. It means that there is a significant influence on body composition, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria.

DISCUSSION
The findings in hypothesis one show that there is a significant influence on cardiorespiratory endurance, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria. The calculated chi-square (²) value of 58.2 is greater than the table value of 21.0 at 0.05 alpha level, and degree of freedom (df) of 12. Cardiorespiratory endurance is a critical component of health-related fitness because the functioning of the heart, and lungs is essential to overall wellness. However, cardiorespiratory endurance is developed by rhythmic movements such as walking, jogging cycling, and aerobic dance.
The findings of hypothesis two show that there is a significant influence on muscular strength, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria. The calculated chi-square (²) value of 66.0 is greater than the table value of 21.0 at 0.05 alpha level of significance, and degree of freedom (df) of 12. Healthy muscles help keep the skeleton in proper alignment, preventing back, and leg pain, and giving the necessary support for good posture. Recreational-based activities are facilitated due to muscular strength.
The findings of hypothesis three show that there is a significant influence on flexibility, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin Secondary School, Kwara State, Nigeria. The calculated chi-square (²) value of 36.3 is greater than the table value of 21.0 at 0.05 alpha level of significance, and degree of freedom (df) of 12. Physical exercises can help to ensure the normal range of motion. Inactivity can cause the joints to become stiffer with age, and stiffness can make elderly people assume unnatural body postures, and it can lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain. Benefits of flexibility include: allows greater freedom of movement, and improved posture, increasing physical, and mental relaxation, releasing muscle tension, and soreness, and reducing the risk of injury to mention a few. The findings of hypothesis four show that there is a significant influence on body composition, and physical fitness status of male, and female non-athletes in the University of Ilorin secondary school, Kwara State, Nigeria. The calculated chi-square (²) value of 48.5 is greater than the table value of 21.0 at 0.05 alpha level of significance, and degree of freedom (df) of 12. Healthy body composition involves a high density or proportion of fat-free mass and an acceptably low level of body fat. Body composition is the percentage of body fat a person possesses. An obsessed person is more vulnerable to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, joint problems, diabetes, cancer, back pain, and gallbladder.

CONCLUSION
The study specifically investigated cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition of male and female non-athletes in Nigeria concerning their physical fitness status. The findings of this study showed a significant influence of cardiorespiratory endurance as well as physical fitness of male and female non-athletes. Also, there was a significant influence on muscular strength and physical fitness, flexibility and physical fitness status, as well as body composition and physical fitness status of male and female nonathletes. Non-athlete students should engage in physical activities to promote cardiorespiratory endurance during any exercise. Non-athlete students should engage in regular training with weights or using the weight of the body for resistance during calisthenics exercises to promote muscular strength in them.