Management Practices of Injury Risk in Sports among Secondary Schools in Homa-Bay County, Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Ndiege, John Kweri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Sports risk management to a great extent focuses on the physical safety of all sports
participants – athletes, coaches/teachers and spectators. Sports encompass a significant
part of learning experiences for students in schools. Though sports bestow great health
benefits on the participants, could also expose participants to risk of injury with short
term or permanent consequences. For this reason, schools are duty-bound to identify
potential risks within their sports concomitant with guidance to participants and coaches
on how best to contain or manage the risks within an acceptable level. Sports associated
risk management in school is crucial to reducing chances of injury. Responsibility for
the successful completion of sporting events lies with the teachers and coaches to ensure
safety for all participants– players/athletes, officials, spectators and supporting staff.
Compared to the developed countries, there is paucity of empirical evidence-based
information about the safety of students when participating in sport activities in Kenya,
specifically in Homa Bay County. This study sought to assess risk management
practices during secondary school sports in Suba. The objectives of the study were to
evaluate facilities and equipment as predisposing factors for management risk during
sports participation; to examine strategies employed by the coaches and captains in
managing the risk of injury to students participating in sports; and to determine the risk
management plans that public secondary schools have in place to protect the
participants from injury during sports. The study adopted the analytical survey research
design. Since the target population of 33 public secondary schools in Homabay County
was very small, it used the G-power sampling technique. Data were collected using
questionnaires and interview schedule. Based on the responses from the 91% (30)
coaches constituting all the schools, the study revealed an evident lack of preparedness
against risk of injury in schools. Most of the coaches. 91% (30) had no written injury
risk management plans [70.6 % (36)] suggesting that because they lacked time to
develop and implement them or there was no perceived need and insufficient budgetary
allocations. All 91% (30) coaches agreed that most schools lacked adequate or
appropriate sporting facilities. At the same time 69.0% (20) indicated that the sporting
facilities were never inspected leaving them in very poor state. This exposed participant
to several risks during training and competitions. At 65.5 % (19) majority of the schools
coaches confirmed that they did not have physical barriers between spectators and
players. At the same time, 58.9% (30) informed that playing fields lacked adequate
care, thus exposing participants to accidents. Most playgrounds do not meet the
recommended standard for sports activities. The finding of the study also revealed that
sport facilities and equipment were in poor state; thus, unsuitable and exposed players
to high risk of injuries during trainings and competitions. From these study findings,
critical knowledge is a prerequisite in conducting a comprehensive injury risk
management challenges in schools. Those involved in sports and physical education in
schools, should receive comprehensive training in injury risk management and
appropriate management of injuries when they occur. This calls for development of
policies and guidelines due to knowledge diversity that exists amongst the coaches.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Physical Education), in the School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University, May 2022
Keywords
Management Practices, Injury Risk, Sports, Secondary Schools, Homa-Bay County, Kenya