PERCEIVED IMPACT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH OF MIDDLE AGED LECTURERS

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the perceived impact of physical exercise on the cardiovascular health of middle-aged lecturers in the Faculty of Education at the University of Benin. Four research questions guided the study, which employed a descriptive survey research method. The study's population comprised 50 respondents representing seven departments within the Faculty of Education. Simple random sampling was used to select the 50 participants. A self-structured questionnaire, utilizing a four-point scale with options of Agree, Strongly Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree, was employed to collect data. The questionnaire underwent rigorous validation by the project supervisor to ensure its reliability. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages were used to analyze demographic data, while mean and standard deviation were used to analyze responses to the research questions. The findings revealed that while participants sensed an elevation in systolic blood pressure (SBP) after exercise—with a t-value of 0.234 and a significant p-value of 0.019—they dismissed headaches as symptomatic of this rise. Instead, symptoms such as arterial throbbing, dizziness, and shortness of breath were associated with heightened SBP post-exercise. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) perceptions indicated a post-exercise surge, although statistical evidence didn't corroborate a significant difference. Heart rate (HR) and pulse rate (PR) were consistently perceived to escalate after physical exertion. Notably, PR hypothesis testing, marked by a t-value of -2.15 and a significant p-value of 0.036, revealed a pronounced difference before and after exercise, indicating a higher mean pulse rate post-exercise. These insights, enriched by the statistical gravitas of t-values and p-values, spotlight the cardiovascular dynamics induced by physical activity among the surveyed demographic. This research not only echoes existing scholarly discourse but also accentuates the experiential realities of the respondents.