Odero, Violet Auma2025-04-072025-04-072024-06https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29920A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Physical Education in the School of Health Sciences at Kenyatta University, June 2024 Supervisors: 1.Yasmin Goodwin 2.Lucy-Joy WachiraThe combined optimum health status attained from Health-Related Physical Fitness through participation in exercise and a positive mental picture a person has of one’s own physical body and one's attitude towards the physical self are all vital for the enhancement of overall health and contentment. This study sought to determine the relationship between health-related fitness (HRF) and perceived body image; and to assess the effects of an 8-week walk programme (with in-built conditioning sessions) on these two factors. The study used a quasi-experimental design. The target population was premenopausal female teachers aged between 30-45 years in Mvita Sub-county, Mombasa. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample of 50 premenopausal teachers. Health-Related Fitness tests and a Perceived Body Image questionnaire was used to capture data before and after the Eight-week walk programme. The Health-Related Fitness tests comprised (i) the 20 metre bleep test to estimate cardiovascular endurance, (ii) the one-minute sit-up test to determine abdominal muscle strength endurance, (iii) the sit-and-reach test to assess low back flexibility, (iv) the modified push-up test to establish upper body strength; and finally, (v) measured heights and weights to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). The experimental group (n=23) received the intervention of a walking programme, while the control group (n=26) was excluded from the walking programme. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. One Way ANOVA was used for analysis. Hypotheses were tested at 5% significance level. The ANOVA results indicated significant mean differences (pre-test and post-test) between the experimental and control groups (p<0.05) indicating a positive effect of the 8-week walk programme to Abdominal muscular endurance (F(1, 48) = 56.72. P< 0.001), upper body strength-endurance (F (1, 48) = 55.86. P<0.001), cardiovascular endurance (F (1, 48) = 39.96. P< 0.001), low back flexibility (F (1, 48) = 37.75. P< 0.001) and Body Mass Index (F (1, 48) = 29.05. P< 0.001). Based on the statistically significant differences between pre-test and post-test means (t (48) = 2.07. P=.044), the perceived body image results suggest that participants consciously monitored their body weight. On whether participants wanted perfect bodies, the difference in pre-test and post-test means were statistically significant (t (48) = 3.15. P=.003) suggesting that they had preference for a perfect body. On whether the participants felt that their bodies did not represent them, the difference in pre-test and post-test means were statistically significant (t (48) = 3.26. P=.002) suggesting that the Eight-Week Walk Programme had a positive impact on perception of their body image. In addition, on whether the participants followed exercise regimes to the letter to maintain a good figure, the difference in means were statistically significant (t (48) = 4.28. P<.001) implying participants were more strict on exercise regime to maintain a good figure post the exercise. On whether the participants felt physically attractive, the difference in means were also statistically significant (t (48) = 2.72. P=.009) indicating that they felt more attractive after the exercise. On whether the participants were concerned about their body weight all the time, the difference in means were statistically significant (t (48) = 3.15. P=.003), an indication that the participants were keen to maintain a healthy body. Given the positive significant effects of the Eight –Week Walk Programme the study recommends this Walk Programme for female pre-menopausal teachers to improve their Health-Related Physical Fitness Components as well as body image. It concludes that further research should determine the best ways of integrating walking into daily life routine to enhance HRF components and perceived body image.enThesis