Demographic characteristics and dietary supplements use by male rugby players in the 2006 season of Kenya cup league

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish demographic characteristics and dietary supplements use by Kenya Cup Rugby Players. This study investigated the age, level of education, occupation, experience and club affiliation of the players. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. Data were gathered from a sample of 140 respondents obtained through stratified random sampling. The target population included all rugby players who participated in the Kenya Cup Rugby League of the 2006 season. The teams comprised of Kenya Commercial Bank, Harlequins, Nonderscripts, Mwamba, Impala, Mean Machine and United States International University. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Data collected was expressed in terms of frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that majority (78%) of the players were below the age of 25 years. The largest proportion of the players had attained tertiary/university level of education (65%). A greater number of the players were students (74%). Half of the players had been with their teams for a period of3- 6 years (50%), whereas, a small (12%) proportion of respondents had played for the national team for duration of less than 2 years. The percentages in age declined significantly because the game of rugby is not a professional sport. Most of the players possess high levels of education to enable them have the capacity to assimilate the importance of nutrition for good health. Players tend to play for their teams longer than at the national level since there is high competition at that level which the players may not sustain. The study recommended that youth programmes of the game of rugby should be established to tap talent from the grass root level and it should be made a professional sport. Further research should be conducted on women rugby teams and other variables apart from those in the present study.