ABSTRACT
The study investigated the influence of physical activity on the stress management of University of Benin students. To guide the study, four research questions were raised, three were answered directly and one was hypothesized and tested at 0.05 alpha level. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 41,697 students of the University of Benin, Benin City. The sample size of the study was 396 students who were selected using the Taro Yamane formula due to the large population. The test instrument used in gathering data for the research was a questionnaire. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and two experts in the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science. The cronbach alpha statistics was used to establish the reliability of the instrument and the r-value of 0.89 was obtained. Data were analyzed using frequencies, mean and standard deviation as well as Pearson correlation statistics. The findings revealed that students perceived stress as a significant factor in their academics, negatively impacts their well-being, overwhelming, manageable with physical activity, manageable with stress management strategies; there was a significant relationship between the level of physical activity and stress management among UNIBEN students; students perceived engaging in aerobics, mindfulness practice, team sports/group physical activities and walking or stretching help in alleviating stress; students employed stress management strategies which include prioritizing time management, family support, counseling services, regular physical activity, and regular mindfulness practice. It was concluded that students perceived stress as significant factor in their academics, negatively influencing their well-being, overwhelming, manageable with physical activity; all pointing to the fact that there is a relationship between the level of physical activity and stress management. Lastly, as a way of managing stress, students employed strategies like aerobics, mindfulness practice, team sports/group physical activities, walking, stretching exercises, time management, friends and family support, professional counseling services, and so on. It was recommended that stress management strategies such as aerobics, mindfulness practice, team sports/group physical activities, walking, stretching exercises, time management, friends and family support, professional counseling services, and so on, can be employed by students in managing and coping with stress.
