Impact of physical exercise on the mental wellbeing: implication for academic performance of primary school pupils in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Nigeria
Keywords:
physical exercise, mental wellbeing, academic performance, primary school, pupilsAbstract
This study examined the impact of physical exercise on the mental wellbeing: implication for academic performance of primary school pupils in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Nigeria. Five research questions were answered and two hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study used a descriptive survey design. Population for this study was 2524 primary six pupils of public schools. The sample size for this study was 200 pupils drawn from 20 primary schools. The study used a constructed questionnaire for data collection. Data was collected through interview conducted for primary school pupils. Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Chi-square and linear regression analysis. Findings revealed significant physical exercises needed to be conducted for primary school pupils. The study found low level of participation of primary school pupils in physical exercises. It was found that physical exercises enhance academic performance of primary school’s pupils in various ways. Also, the study found a significant relationship between physical exercises and academic performance of primary school pupils. Finally, the study found many challenges affecting full participation of primary school pupils in physical exercise. The study concluded that physical exercises significantly impact the academic performance of primary school pupils. It was recommended that all primary school administrators should ensure full conduct of physical exercises in their primary schools. The schools should ensure that experienced teachers are recruited to teach physical and health education that is embedded with physical exercises and made enough space for provision of physical health education facilities to ensure smooth conduct of physical exercises.
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