A survey of Health contributions of Recreation to the Management
Of old Age Among Retired Health
Civil servants in Kwara State, Nigeria.
Dr. E.O Morakinyo
Department of Health Education
University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
E-morkainyo@yahoo.
234-803-323-3211
And
Mr. Ibraheem, Tajudeen Olanrewaju
Department of Physical and Health Education,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin.
Journal of International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports
and Dance (ICHPER, SD) vol. 1 No 1 2006.
Abstract
This study investigated the health contributions of recreation to the management
of old age among the retired civil servants in Kwara state. 232 subjects that
constitute 20% of (1157)retirees from the state service from 1995 to 2005 were
randomly selected. A self-developed questionnaire was used to obtain the data,
which was processed through chi-square statistical tool. The three-hypotheses set
were based on physiological, psychological and sociological health variables,
which are see at 0.05 alpha levels. The results of the findings revealed that
recreation contribute greatly to the physiological psychological and sociological
health of the respondents. It was however recommended that retirees and
general public should continue to engage in worthwhile recreational activities
that would enhance their general well being.
Introduction
Changes are inevitable while aging is also unpreventable no matter what one
does to prevent it. Body will age because what ever has a beginning must have an
end. This saying is even more applicable in the world of work because every
worker must have a date of withdrawal from work. Durosaro (2004) asserted that
sthe human body is composed of the day of birth to the day a man dies. Like
machine, the system depreciate, get weakened and perhaps breakdown either in
the parts or as old age begins to advance. The simple fact according to him is the
rationale for the concept of retirement.
Oladipo (2005) picked ages of twenty-five and thirty-five years as when
capacities of certain body process begin to diminish. This diminishing return can in
turn lead to deterioration in performance. For example, reaction time slows;
vision becomes less acute, strength diminishes, and oxygen transportation
capacity is reduced, tissues, organs and systems of the body demonstrate a
reduced ability to meet the challenges of physical exercise.
Meanwhile, the process of aging can be slowed down and weakness and
enjoyment of life could be maximized with safe health practices. Such practices of
according to Igbanugo and Akeredolu (2003) include partaking in exercise and
recreational activities to reduce the total cholesterol levels of individuals in order
to reduce the predisposition to coronary heart disease.
Oloyede (2004) pointed out that, recreation in various games and sports
pursuit improves health of participants and prepares them fit for work ahead.
Oduyale (2004) emphasized that recreation is the buffer or fuel for the two
extremes of human activities that is, work and rest. After a period of either heavy
or moderate toil, the body shall require a conscious period of either active rest or
passive rest. This period helps, to relieve the body of waste products of
metabolism that might accumulate during work in the different parts of the body
Recreation activities contribute to the physical health exercise. It
contributes to psychological health through participation in recreation also
contributes to emotional health by helping a person achieve self-confidence and
improve his or her concept (Bucher and Krotee, 2002).
The more one engages in physical activities, the more efficient the
functioning of the body system and normal efficiency of the body brings increase
in the general physical fitness and normal status (ademuyiwa, 1998). Jafer (2000)
inferred that, recreate exercise is important because it improves body functions
and reduce risk of degenerative diseases well as other risk factors of sedentary
life that include high blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar, high cholesterche,
tissue weakness, diabetes and backache. Claude & Depress, (1995) also observed
that a sedentary lifestyle id s risk factor for a number of diseases that become
more prevalent with age in both gender. Regular physical activities performed in
variety of circumstances are proving to be health related behaviors with favorable
consequences on commonly recognized outcomes.
However, the importance of recreation cannot be over emphasized.
Therefore, it is necessary to assess the health contributions of recreation to the
management of old age amount the retired civil servants in Ilorin metropolis of
Kwara state, Nigeria.
Statement of Problem
D
Espite the that recreation an sports participation are becoming popular
nowadays, many retired civil servants have been observed not to realize its
importance. Some, after retirement, look haggard and uncomposed because
of lack of exercise and participation in worthwhile recreational activities. It
is however pertinent to investigate contributions of recreation on the health
management of old age among the retired civil servants in Kwara State.
Methodology
Research design
He descriptive survey method was adopted for the study. This method is
most appropriate when one is studying large population that involves the use of
questionnaire. The data is analyzed and the result can be interpreted and finally
generalized.
Sample Technique
Two hundred and thirty two (232) retired civil servants that constitute 20
percent of the entire population of (1157) retirees from Kwara State civil service
form 1995 — 2005 were selected through random sampling techniques.
Instrument
The research instrument used was questionnaire, which was validated by
the experts in the field of Physical and Health Education. Crombach alpha statistic
was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire and “r” of 0.75 was
obtained.
Data Collection
Data was administered on the payday and collected instantly with the aid
of two research assistants.
Data Analyses
The data was analyzed through the use of descriptive statistic of frequency
counts, percentages and chi-square.
Key
=
X
=
Mean
S.D
=
Standard Deviation
X2
=
Chi-square
Df
=
degree of freedom
Assump. Sig
=
Assumption Significance
Results
Ho1: Participation in recreation has Significant difference on physiological
health of the retired civil servants in Kwara State, Nigeria.
Table:X2 item Analysis Table on Recreational Involvement of Retired Civil
Servants and Physiological Health.
S/NO Item
X
SD
X2
Assumption Decision
Sig.
1
Participation in 32198
0.94843
106.862
.000
Accepted
.73102
138.655
.000
Accepted
.79613
148241
.000
Accepted
recreation
improves body
general
wellbeing
2
Participation in 3.3319
recreation
keep muscles
in tone
3
Recreational
3.3448
exercises help
improve body
coordination
No. 232, df 2 P < 0.05
Table I revealed that items 1,2, and 3 recorded X of 3.2198, 3.33.19 and
3.3558 respectively, S.D of .94843, 0.79613 respectively, X2 of 106.862, 138,55
and 148.241 respectively all with degree of freedom of 2, which was less than
0.05. This means that hypothesis of the significant difference between
participation in recreation and physiological health of retired civil servants was
accented that is recreation helps in attaining optimum physiological health
Table II:
item Analysis Table on Recreational Involvement of Retired Civil
Servant and Psychological Health.
S/NO Items
X
SD
X2
Assumption Decision
Sing
4
Participation
3.2328
.86648
108.552
.000
Accepted
3.3578
.74818
143.069
.000
Accepted
3.3190
.77960
131.621
.000
Accepted
in recreation
improves
mental
alertness
5
Participation
in recreation
makes one
emotionally
balanced
6
Participation
in recreation
improves
positive
thinking
N = 232, df =2, P < 0.05
Table II revealed that items 4.5 and 6 recorded X 3.2328, 3.3578, and
3.3190 respectively, S.D of .86648, .74818 which X2 was 108.552, 142.069, &
131.621 receptively with df of 2 at 0.05 alpha level. This connoted that the
hypothesis of significance difference between participation in recreation and
psychological health of the retired civil servant was accepted. Meaning that
participation in recreation contributes to their psychological health.
HO3 Participation in Recreation has Significant Difference on Sociological
Health of the Retired Civil Servants in Kwara State.
Table III:
Item Analysis Table on Recreational Involvement of Retire Civil
Servants and Sociological Health.
S/NO Items
X
SD
X2
Assumption Decision
Sing
7
Recreation
provides
3.2802
.83909
121.345
.000
Accepted
avenue for
social
interaction
8
Participation in
3.3448
.72796
150.862
.000
Accepted
32672
.83596
123.655
.000
Accepted
recreation
improves
character
development
9
Recreation
serves as a
unifying factor
among
members
N = 232, df = 2, P < 0.05
Table III revealed that item 7, 8 and got X of 3.2802, 3.3448, & 3.267272
respectively, S.D of .82909, 72796 & .83596 respectively, X2 if 121.345, 150.862 &
123.655 with df of 2, at 0.05 alpha level. This is an indication that participation to
sociological health of the retired civil servants in Kwara State.
Discussion
T
he result of the findings as presented on Table I revealed that participation in
recreational activities contributes immensely to the physiological health of retired
civil servants in Kwara State. This corroborate the view of Gwani, Muhammad and
Chado (2005) that regular exercise and recreational activities lower the risk of
death from coronary heart diseases, normalize the usual high blood glucose level,
lower high blood pressure and create more favorable concentration activities
maintain the tone muscles and other organs of the body through improved
circulation, excretion respiration, and so on.
Table II showed that participation in recreation activities plays prominent role in
the management of psychological health of the retired civil servants. Majority of
the respondents agreed that participation in recreation improves positive thinking
and make them emotionally balanced. This in line with the view of Folawiyo (2001)
that recreation provides the self confidence that enable people to develop their
full potential and withstand life’s problems and disappointments by providing
feeling of personal worth. Akorede and Ajewole (2005) buttressed this by pointing
out that recreational activities bring about emotional balance, the sprit of being
needed, loved and accepted.
It is however inferred from table 111 that recreation and sociological health
are working hand – in- hand. Based on the responses given by the respondents, this
result is consistent with the findings of Mange {2004} that such societal values as
respect, cooperation, loyalty, dedication, fair play and honesty are easily acquired
and appreciated during recreational activities which in turn contribute to healthy
living .Butcher and Krotee{2000} noted that participation in recreation activities
assist an individual n making personal and group adjustments, including attitude
and value formation, as well as adjustments as a member of society.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, there is need to educate the retired civil
servants about the importance of recreation. Information gathered showed that
recreation contributed immensely to the physiological and sociological health of
retired civil servants in Kwara State. In essence, recreation is the buffer or fuel for
the two extremes of man i.e. work and rest. A deliberate attempt to deprive the
body of these basic essentials invites disease not necessarily caused by pathogenic
agents, but otherwise related to the physiological, psychological and psychological
and sociological alterations of body’s homeostasis.
Recommendations
Retired civil servants should participate in active recreational activities that will
enhance physiological development such as bone and muscle strengthening
exercise.
Retired civil servants should engage in group activities that foster mass
participation that foster mass participation that contributes to psychological and
sociological health.
Government individuals and cooperate organizations should establish recreation
centers to assist the retired civil servants maintain good health.
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