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ABSTRACT
Physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, and is associated with numerous health benefits. However, gender differences in physical activity participation are well-documented, with women generally being less active than men. This study investigated the gender motives for participation in physical activity among tertiary institution students in Edo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 116 students from the University of Benin. The participants were asked to fill a self-structured online questionnaire about their motives for participating in physical activity, as well as the barriers they faced. The data was analyzed using simple count, frequency percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The most common motives for physical activity among both men and women were to improve health and fitness, and to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. However, there were also some gender differences in motives. For example, men were more likely to participate in physical activity for reasons of enjoyment and competition, while women were more likely to participate for reasons of social interaction and stress relief. The study also found that there were some gender differences in the barriers to physical activity. For example, women were more likely to report barriers such as lack of time and childcare responsibilities, while men were more likely to report barriers such as lack of motivation and fear of injury. The findings of this study suggest that there are a variety of factors that contribute to gender differences in physical activity participation. These factors include personal motives, social norms, and structural barriers. The study also suggests that there are a number of strategies that can be used to promote physical activity among both men and women, such as providing more opportunities for social interaction, addressing the fear of injury, and making physical activity more accessible and affordable.
