INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOGENIC AIDS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN ATHLETES

ABSTRACT

This research study investigated the influence of psychogenic aids on the performance of university of Benin athletes. It was conducted using a descriptive survey design of which one hundred and thirty questionnaires items were designed and administered to elicit the response of the athletes (respondents). The population of the study was 518 and a sample of 130 respondents representing 25% of the population was used for the study. The simple percentage count and frequency table was used to analyse the data generated. The findings revealed that athletes of university of Benin are aware of what psychogenic aids are, they have knowledge of the use of psychogenic aids, they use psychogenic aids, they use psychogenic aids in both intra-school and inter-school competitions and also before, during and after a training section or a competition and also that psychogenic aids have a positive influence on their performance. Hence, premised on the above results from this research study, some vital recommendations were made as follows: Sports government bodies like FIFA, FIBA, ITF, ITTF, FINA etc should not totally discredit the use of ergogenic aids in sports because there are ergogenic aids in sports that are legal and do not break both the rules of the game and even the rules of the competition. Hence psychogenic aids should be seen as a legal alternative to the illegal use of drugs in sports. Coaches should make effort to include the use of psychogenic aids in both training and competitions, since their priority is to ensure that the athlete wins. He should be able to detect the kind of psychogenic aids that make the athlete reach his peak performance and apply it. Athletes should be aware of the use of psychogenic aids and also have knowledge of the use because of the immense benefits embedded in it. It should be seen as a legal alternative to the illegal use of drugs in sports to 11 boost performance. The benefits should be extracted for maximum performance since most psychogenic aids require the athlete to generate positive attitude towards winning and also focus on set goals.