Physical Factors that Influence Training and Performance of Female Athletes in Sports in Teacher Training Colleges in Central Region of Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical factors that influence the training and performance of female athletes in sports in teacher training colleges in central region of Kenya. The study assessed the extent to which the concern for body shape, academic demands, and freedom to choose the mode of training influences training and performance of female athletes in sports. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The target population for the study comprised female athletes in certificate and diploma teacher training colleges. Stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain the sample size. The study selected 444 (21.6%) respondents from the two randomly selected certificate teacher colleges and the one diploma training college. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to code and analyze the data. The hypothesis was tested using chi-square (χ2) at significance level of 0.05. The study results revealed that the female athletes’ involvement in training activities is influenced by the concern for body shape, academic demands and freedom to choose the mode of training. As a result, the researcher has recommended expansion of awareness and education on benefits of physical activities to female athletes, training of female athletes by coaches who understand female athletes’ physical needs, as well as addressing the physical factors influencing coaching of female athletes through the curriculum.