CW-Department of Physical and Health Education

Permanent URI for this collection

https://repository.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/3227

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 47

Effects of physical education programme on the health of diploma teacher trainees in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Kinoti, J. W.; Njororai, W. W. S.; Kiganjo, G. M.; Asembo, J. M.
Physical education has been compulsory and examinable in Kenya's teacher education colleges at diploma level since 1980. The programme is basically geared to maintain and improve the bodily health and fitness of the learners. This study therefore, aimed at establishing the health-related fitness levels of the teacher trainees before and after an eight-week physical education programme. The sample comprised 40 first year, 40 second year and 40 third year students equally split between men and women. The variables monitored were body composition, flexibility, muscular endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Preliminary findings showed that some general improvements in the health status of the learners were noted. It is recommended that physical education be encouraged in all learning institutions for the purposes of enhancing the learners' health status
Sports- for- all as a means to improve living standards
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Boit, M. K.
This paper focuses on the importance of physical fitness through physical activity, which includes sport. It highlights the impact of industrial revolution as one of the main factors that has contributed to sedentary life style and environmental pollution. Studies linking better living standards with regular physical activities and those stressing the link between physical fitness and mental alertness have been highlighted. In this paper sports-for-all, must be seen as a fundamental right to every individual in the society ranging from the young to the old, a view which must include the less fortunate members of our society who are either physically or mentally handicapped. In addition, Sports-for-all is seen as the most logical approach in efforts to avert crisis emanating from lack of physical activity that include drug dependency and juvenile delinquency most of which occur as a result of idleness and lack of socially acceptable avenues of releasing tension and stresses. Human resource development must be given priority consideration in economic development in every country and hence the importance of sports-for-all in the process of nation building cannot be over emphasised.
Physical education and sport in primary schools in Kenya: the case of central province
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Njororai, W. W. S.; Gathua, S. M.; Owiye, R.
Physical education and sport is one of the subjects in Kenya's educational curriculum. This study aimed at establishing the actual practice in schools and the possible suggestions that could enhance its effectiveness. A total of 118 teachers, with a background in physical education responded to a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire sought information pertaining to their demographic details, interest in sports, emphasis on the subject, sports desciplines offered, coaching competence, time-tabling of PE, level of emphasis, subject supervision and recommendations. The data were descriptively presented. among other findings, it is apparent that the subject is time-tabled, the sports disciplines emphasised are soccer, netball, athletics, volleyball and handball. The inspectors at the Ministry of Education rarely supervise the teaching of PE, that students are enthusiastic about sport, and that competent coaches are lacking in some disciplines. There is need for the government to lay more emphasis on the implementation of PE in schools by re-training teachers, holding regular in-service and other short term courses, formulation and implementation of an evaluation system, provision of a diversified range of facilities,and the inclusion of more sports disciplines that are competed in at the school competition levels.
An investigation into differences in modified stork balance abilities between experienced and nonexperienced karatekas at Kenyatta University
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Kinoti, J. W.; Njororai, W. W. S.
Karate is a martial art sport whose main objective is to develop techniques and tactics for self-defence without the use of weapons. The ability to balance determines how well an individual can perform in this sport. The body's balance is maintained at the hip, where the a mass of the body is concentrated. A one-show case study was carried out on twelve experienced and twelve non-experienced make karatekas. The subjects performed the modified stork balance test. The two group compared and data descriptively presented. Among other findings, it was established that the experienced karatekas had a mean balance of 111.42 seconds compared to the 58.08 seconds for noble the non-experienced group. The ttest techniques indicated that there was a difference in balancing abilities in favour of experienced karatekas. It was evident that the more one engages in the sport the more one becomes competent in balancing abilities. Training and persistent practice are, therefore, vital if athletes are to improve balancing ability.
Aims and objectives of secondary school, physical education in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Wamukoya, E. K.
A number of books in physical education contain various aims and objectives for physical education is schools. In order to establish the aims and objectives considered important in Kenyan secondary schools, a literature survey was done. This survey revealed a list of aims and objectives to broad and general educational objectives. The 12 most commonly mentioned aims and objectives in Kenya were then assembled in random order and both respondent school heads and PE teaches were asked to rank them in order of their respective schools' preferences from highest (1) to lowest (12). The mean score for each item and for each school head and PE teachers was then computed and comparisons made. From the survey, the aims and objecti ves ranked highly by the total sample were (1) Motor Ski II Development (2) Safety (3) Social Competence (4) Organic development and (5) Leisure Time Activities. Emotional Competence/Stability was ranked sixth (in the middle) while Self - Realisation, Creativity, Aesthetic Appreciation, MOTaI Development, Cognitive Development and Environmental Awareness were ranked lowest. Even then, it was apparent that more female school heads were inclined to rank Social Competence and Creativity on the higher side while men ranked Safety higher. However, male PE teachers highly rated the objective of Motor Skill Development, Leisure-time, Activities and Self-Realisation and gave their lowest ratings to Cognitive Development, Aesthetic Appreciation and Environmental Awareness. Female PE teachers rated highest Social Competence, Moral Development, Self - Realisation, Aesthetic Appreciation, Emotional Development, Creativity, Safety, Motor Skill Development, Organic Development, and gave their lowest ratings for Organic Development, Cognitive Development, and Environmental Awareness. Furthermore, there were some differences in the rankings of these aims and objectives according to the sex of the teachers involved. Female teachers compared to their male counterparts were inclined towards the long-term and broad-based educational outcomes such as Self-realisation, Leisure-time activities, Social competence, Moral Development, Aesthetic Appreciation, Creativity and Safety. They were more inclined to think about both the immediate and long-term objectives of physical education and were less concerned with the more traditional and specific objectives of organic development (physical fitness). An interesting observation was t hat female teachers also ranked Motor Skill Development and Organic Development higher than their male counterparts while male teachers ranked emotional Competence/Stability on the higher side than their female counterparts, respectively. However, both male and female teachers gave the middle rating (6th position) to Emotional Competence/Stability which gives an indication of the profession's moderate commitment to this objective in Kenya.
The role of physical education in the promotion of sport for all in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Wasonga, T. A.
In Western Countries, the fundamental reason used for promoting sport for all concept lies in the immediate and long term objective of sporting activities available to them with the aim of improving quality of life. Although 'Sport for All' falls under recreational sports with mass participation as the goal, recreational sports serve as the laboratory for Physical Education. A sound base in Physical Education is therefore needed. It is on this premise that Physical Education should be compulsory in primary and secondary schools. It should also be taught with the seriousness it deserves as this is an investment for the quality of life in future. Through Physical Education, the school should prepare the youth by instilling in them the values of sport. Currently, it is understood that education received in school should be applied in adult life. One of the aims of Kenya secondary school physical education syllabus is to prepare students for life-long participation in physical activity. This paper focuses on the Kenya Secondary School Physical Education Programme and its implications for the 'Sport-for -All' concept under the topics; aims of physical education, secondary physical education syllabus, facilities and personnel and the constraints experienced in the teaching of Physical Education.
The plight of elite athletes
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Boit, M.
According to the latest statistics from the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), elite athletes have a turnover rate of 40% annually. When one considers a country like Kenya, with large proportion of elite athletes, the turnover rates is even higher. The purpose of this paper is to take a critical look at the factors which account for early retirement among top African athletes. Many athletes that rise to fame overnight soon find themselves in the centre stage of public and media attention, a role in which the majority of them are ill-prepared to undertake. Consequently, the new superstar is exposed to a culture shock which often manifests itself in drug dependency, especially alcohol, a situation which generally leads to premature retirement from competition. Upon retirement, some of the elite athletes, especially the less educated, may experience another form of culture shock, in the process of readjustment, as a result of dramatic changes from being a super star back to a lay person. Suggestions are provided on how to contain the high turnover rates among the African elite athletes and how to assist them to achieve successful readjustment upon retirement after an illustrious athletic career.
Fitness studios and health clubs in Nairobi, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Wasonga, T. A.; Goodwin, Y.
In the last decade, Kenya has witnesses the emergence of fitness studios and Health Clubs. This may be attributed to the growing interests in keep fit and exercise without necessarily engaging in conventional sporting activities usually geared towards competition. A greater awareness about the relationship between exercise and health, unexpected free time and improved living, standards are some contributing factors to an increased sports involved and growth of studies and clubs. Maintaining health and losing weight through exercise has been become an obsession for some people who have leaped into the fray enthusiastically. The fitness studios and health clubs are privately and commercially run through membership subscription and pay as you methods. This has led to the marginalisation of participants making it a preserve of those who can afford the costs. Female participants out number males with participants giving varied reasons for coming to these places. The studios offer a range of facilities and activities. This paper analyses the characteristics and operations of Fitness studios and Health clubs, and the nature and motives of participants. The paper also analyses problems and offers solutions
Gynaecological implications of women's participation in sport
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Wahome, E. N.; Gathua, S. M.
Until the beginning of the seventies, there were always those who maintained that athletic activities during those who maintained that athletic activities during menstruation was dangerous and damaging to health. Others observed that sporting activities during pregnancy were lethal not only to the foetus but also the mother. There were still others who believed that long distance running by girls would spoil their womanhood. This was so until a few years back when women were allowed to compete in races beyond 3000 m. Some educators were of the opinion that swimming during menstruation increased the risks of water entering the upper part of the vagina. All the above views were based on instinctive judgement without any supporting scientific evidence. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the various gynaecological implications of women's participation in sports with reference to recent research findings. The' following gynaecological phenomena are considered: normal menstruation, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoe, menorrhagia and osteoporosis, pregnancy and general well being of females in sporting activities.
Sports entrepreneurship in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Mwangi, P. W.; Wahome, E. N.
Sports behaviour has been perceived by some sociologists to have a sharp inclination to commercial production industry. It has variously been viewed by many authors as a great entertainment for cash. Similarly, besides focusing our attention on the intrinsic benefits of sports, the evergrowing pursuit of the extrinsic in the Kenyan sports milieu today, just as in the rest of the world, is a force strong enough not to be ignored. Sports promote huge consumption in equipment, facilities, clothes etc. It is itself commercial providing mass entertainment as its basic form of production. The media in Kenya reserve substantial time and resources daily for sports coverage to enhance their own marketability, either single handed or in conjunction with one or more sponsoring companies such as Smithkline Beecham, Michelin etc. Sports-related insurance has gone up in recent times. Huge salaries are offered to professional competitors as the amateurs are perpetually engrossed in sports meet allover the world for obvious goals. The 1997 Kenya Safari Rally had its regulations and route changed to ensure a better monitory gain. Finally, a record-shattering Kshs. 6.8 Million was realised in January 1997's Harambee Star's (Kenya) soccer match against Nigeria through deliberate, shrewd, marketing tactics. A kiswahili beat on the Harambee Stars (Kenya's National Soccer team) has so far.been released for the electronic media and has been fast selling on the streets of Kenyan towns.
Effects of smoking on visual and auditory reaction time
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Wahome, E. N.
This study was conducted to determine the effects of three different levels of nicotine (low, medium and high) on visual and auditory reaction time of twenty regular male University smokers aged 18 and 42 years. Subjects participated in three sessions with an Automatic Performance Analyzer used to record the reaction time. During the first session, the subjects were tested using low nicotine level. The second session involved the use of medium=nicotine level, while the third session consisted of the use of high nicotine level. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if a significant difference existed among the means of low, medium and high nicotine levels in both light and sound variables. Significant F-ratios of 7.48 and 3.803 were found for the light and sound variables, respectively (p< O. OS). In both variables Duncan's multiple range was used to follow up the significance. This means that three different levels of nicotine affected both visual and auditory reaction times. The medium level was found to have a faster reaction time than both low and high nicotine levels. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between the reaction time for light and sound variables. A probability value of 0.054 found was not statistically significant, which means there is some relationship between the visual and auditory reaction time scores at three different levels of nicotine i.e. the reaction time for the sound variable is faster than for light variable at all the three different levels of nicotine.
A survey of Kenyan physical education teachers' understanding of heat illness and management of heat stress in athletes
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Shehu, J.; Wamukoya, E. K.
In a steadily developing sporting nation like, Kenya, with inexorable increasing crop of long distance runners and participants in various sports, the issues of traumatology and epidemiology sports of injury oughr to be of empirical importance to Kenyan physical educators. fortunately, in recent years there has been a remarkably vigorous scholarly inquiries into pattern of sports injuries among Kenyan sportsmen and women. Nevertheless, follow-up field research on sports injury knowledge and practices of Kenyan games tutors and physical education teachers remain the exception rather than the rule. This exploratory research is designed specifically to investigate Kenyan physical education teachers' notions and metaconceptual understanding of heat stress in athletes using quantitative analysis of data obtained from a forced-option tests. The outcome of this study is expected to inform and reform the teaching of concepts in exercise physiology and sports medicine to prospective physical educators enrolled at Kenyatta University and Kenyan teachers' colleges.
Kenya at the Olympics: 1956 - 1996
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Njororai, W. W. S.; Kubai, J.P.T.
Kenya has taken part in nine Olympiads since making her inaugural appearance in 1956 during the Melbourne Games in Australia. To date, Kenya has won a total of 47 medals, including 14 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals. Majority of the medals (85 %) have been won in athletics with the men's team accounting for 30 % of all the medals won. However, apart form the athletes, Kenya has also been represented at the Olympics in six other sport disciplines including boxing, field hockey, judo, shooting, weightlifting and wrestling. Out of all these disciplines, medals have only been won in athletics and boxing. Additionally, women have won only one medal. Thus, out of seven different disciplines, Kenya has produced medal winners in only athletics and boxing. Furthermore, the number of gold medals won at each Olympiad has declined from 5 in 1988 Seoul Olympics to only one in the 1986 Atlanta Games. This decline could be attributed to, among others, the' increasingly crowded athletics calendar leading to possible burnout, the competitiveness of the Olympics trials in athletics leading to top contenders being eliminated, the lack of control over the athletes by KAAA, the greed for money in the grand prix circuit and the increased competition from other countries in similar events. It is recommended that Kenya should diversify her sports disciplines, improve her management of athletes, revive the declining sports disciplines such as hockey and boxing, encourage and expose more women athletes, and incorporate the scientific component in the coaching and management of the athletes as well as other sports persons.
Effectiveness of the serve during the international at tennis federation women's circuit championship in Nairobi
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Kiganjo, M. G.; Njororai, W. W. S.
The serve is considered as the most important, frequently occurring and ultimate stroke in a tennis march. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the serve during the International tennis Federation (lTF) women's singles champions in Nairobi. The championship was played on murram courts and was organised on knockout basis. Winners and losers in 21 matches were observed using a manual charting system and a video camera. The frequency and outcome of the first and second serves were tallied in terms of no-errors/ good (e.g. in, aces and wins) and errors/ faults (e.g. out, double fault and wrong court). The direction of good serves as they landed in the service court were also recorded in terms of right, middle and let landing. Two observers who were conversant with the game of tennis and match analysis charted each match. The video-recorded matches were played to cross check the accuracy of the manual charting. Descriptive statistical . analysis using mean scores and percentage tabulation showed that aU the winning players in each match made least errors on their serves compared with the losing players. More errors were made on the first serves than on the second serves. Most serves landed in the middle of the service court than in the right and left service courts. Service errors decreased with progressive tournament stages. The outcome of this study confirmed the percentage theory in tennis that those players who make few errors eventually emerge as winners of a tennis match. It is important that the serve should not be neglected during the teaching and coaching of tennis players.
Factors influencing parents' choice and purchase of clothing for pre-schoolers in Kenya: implication for exercise
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Njororai, Fletcher I.; Njororai, W. W. S.
Clothing is one of the major basic needs of the human being. The type of clothing for children has a major influence on their involvement in play activities. This study aimed at establishing whether parents of pre-school children in Nairobi are aware of the children's clothing needs and identify the factors which influence their choices of children cloths. One hundred and twenty pre-school children were randomly selected from four randomly selected nursery schools in Nairobi. The parents/ guardians of the children were the respondents of the study. The sampling was done through stratified, multi stage cluster method. A questionnaire was used to elicit information and data were presented. Description among other findings, the parents considered freedom of movement and peer group approval to be of some importance, which self-help features were of least importance. Other influence, while self-help features were of least importance. Other influential factors were how well cloths fitted, their durability, and quality of manufacture. The findings have implications for exercise involvement for the children as they require clothing that allows them to play at all times including jumping, rolling, throwing, catching, sliding, among other. some of these play activities provide the foundation for the eventual sporting techniques for elite as well as recreational purposes. It is, therefore, recommended that parents be educated to take the clothes selection for their children seriously if the latter are to enjoy their play experience.
Sport facilities and equipment in primary schools in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Njororai, W. W. S.; Gathua, S. M.
The availability of sporting facilities and equipment greatly influences the choice and eventually involvement of the learners in sporting activities. This study aimed at finding out the number of facilities, the type of sports and the general level of adequacy of the equipment for the various sports codes in Kenyan schools using the central province as the reference point. A questionnaire sought information pertaining to their age, teaching and coaching experience, number of pupils in school, the sports codes, the number of facilities and the adequacy of equipment for the various sports disciplines. Preliminary findings indicate that: the pupils are keenly interested in sporting activities, the widely played sports disciplines include soccer, netball, volleyball, athletics, and handball, which is catching up quickly. These same sports are the ones with the necessary facilities and equipment. Given the narrow range of sports facilities and disciplines, it is recommended that efforts be made to deversify them so as to include other sports such as hockey, basketball and rounders if learners are to be properly exposed.
An appraisal of the Kenyan men's hockey team performance in international field hockey competition (1956 - 1996)
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Asembo, J. M.; Mwisukha, A.; Njororai, W. W. S.
Although Field Hockey was introduced in Kenya at the beginning of the 20th century, her first major international competition was the 1956 Olympic Games held at Melbourne, Australia in which she was ranked 10th. The best performance by the Kenyan men's team was at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games where the team was ranked 6th and during the World Cup tournament in Barcelona ,Spain in 1971 where she ranked 4th. Since then the team IS performance has not been impressive. The poor performance by the team is of major concern especially to a sporting nation like Kenya. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyse the performance of the Kenyan men's hockey team in international competitions from 1956 to 1996. During this period, the Kenyan men's team participated in the East African tournament (Rahim Jivraji Cup )/which she constantly won; All Africa Games' Hockey Competition (won only once -1987 ) ; Indira Gandhi Memorial Gold Cup in which her best performance has been 4th position (1992 & 1994) ;African Cup of Nations which has never won, World Cup where her best performance was the 4th ranking in 1971 at Barcelona, Spain and the Olympic Games in which Kenya represented the African Continent till 1988 when Egypt and South Africa edged her out in 1992 and 1996 respectively. A critical analysis indicated that ,Kenyan men's team performances could be classified into four periods: 1956-1971 (major achievements), 1972 -1984 (mixed luck and decline in performance),1985 -1993 (worst performance) and 1994 -1996 (some revival). Some of the factors which contributed to the impressive performances in the 1956 -1971 period included adequate finances for exposure and motivation of players, good management and administration of the sport, participation in local international tournaments and well structured league' at national level. The factors associated with poor performances in 1972 -1993 included boycott of the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games, poor, management and administration of the sport, lack of adequate modern facilities, inferior systems of play and lac]; of exposure for players. For field hockey to develop in Kenya, there is need for development of coaching ,administration and management programmes. Effective talent identification and development programme ought to be instituted urgently. Further, the local coaches need to update their knowledge in the sport so that only qualified coaches are employed to manage the national team.
Patterns of injuries during the 12th Africa women's volleyball club championship in Nairobi
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Rintaugu, E.G.; Akpata, D.
Injuries are common in sports, especially dynamic ones such as volleyball. An accurate documentation of such injuries will provide useful information for future planning, prevention, treatment and management. But literature seems non-existent on. the incidence of volleyball injuries in Africa. This study investigated the injuries sustained during the 12th Africa volleyball club championship in Nairobi (26th April - 3rd May 1997). A total of 130 sport injuries were recorded. Majority of the injuries affected the fingers (44.61 %). The most prevalent complaint was muscle soreness (33.85%) followed by contusions (25.38%). Most of the injuries resulted from overuse (39.24%) while 27.69% of the injuries were caused by the ball. Since most of the injuries were specific to volleyball, it was concluded that preventive measures lay in the training of players in line with sound scientific principles and the taping of fingers during practice or games. This study was done as basis for the accumulation of literature on the incidence of volleyball injuries in Africa.
Historical perspective of women's participation in sport
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Wahome, E. N.
Controversies surrounding the involvement of women in sports date back to thousands of years i.e. during the time of Hummurabi and Plato there was no evidence of women's participation in organised sport, except in Ancient Sparta, which was one of the Greek City states where women exercised in squares under women trainers. The influence of asceticism and later that of scholasticism coupled with medieval concept of chivalry suppressed the participation of women in ,sport. It was not until the Renaissance period that women started participating in sport. During the seventeenth century women participated in "the gender «sport. Later the Turnverein movement, which was sponsored by Jahn and the Ling gymnastics movement accepted women into their organizational plans. Many scientific articles were presented claiming that women were biologically inferior to men and should avoid any competitive sporting events. This paper discusses those biological and biochemical differences between men and women.
Mainstreaming: the perpetual dilemma of the physical education teacher
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Bukhala, P. W.
The efficacy of mainstreaming has been noted in many studies which have highlighted among other things, improvement of self-esteem, reduction of stigma, increased social interaction and improved skill development. Based on these studies various countries have implemented programmes for mainstreaming continues to pose challenges for physical education teachers locally and abroad. There has been an apriori assumption by administrators that once intellectual and social considerations have been made then such learners mainstreamed in Physical Education will cope. In this article, a survey of problems physical education teachers in Kenya face when implementing a mainstreamed programme are .discussed. Of critical importance are the criteria for placement used, number of Physical Education lessons offered to learners with handicapping conditions, P.E. teachers' attitudes towards mainstreamed learners, experience of the teacher with learners having handicapping conditions and adaptation of facilities and activities.

Browse

Browsing CW-Department of Physical and Health Education by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options