EXERCISE HABITS AMONG STUDENTS   

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

Most of the students in Malaysia do not exercise. They rather spend their time in front of the computer compared to outdoor activities. This eventually leads to health problems. Therefore, this study is carried out to identify the level and knowledge of exercise awareness among secondary school students.

Statement of Problems

The purpose of this study is to investigate the importance of exercise habits among secondary students. Specifically,

• To investigate the students’ level of awareness in exercise habits and their knowledge on the

importance of exercising.

• To know the outcome and insight acquired through this study, which is expected to create awareness among school students on the importance of their practice of exercise habits among them.

Purpose of Study

Significant of Study: Conclusion drawn from this study will enable the students to understand more about exercising.

Research Question: What is students’ level of awareness on exercise habits?

Operational DefinitionAwareness - Having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge

Exercise - An activity that enhances physical fitness and overall health. It is

performed for various reasons including strengthening muscles and cardiovascular system as well as weight loss

Habits - Habits are routines of behaviour that are repeated regularly

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE

REVIEW

In 2010, a survey on students' exercise habits was conducted by Researcher, MinKyoung Song, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in United States of America. The survey conducted included sample of 11,429 students. According to the results, only 15% of the high school students do the one hour of daily aerobic exercise that health officials recommend. Although 51% of students do engage in muscle-strengthening exercise at least three days a week, the overall picture is less than ideal. High school girls were far less likely than boys to meet the recommendation for either type of exercise. Just over 8% of girls in the survey reported getting 60 minutes of aerobic exercise per day, compared to 22% for boys.

Habits

The prevalence of inactivity in leisure time varied with cultural and economic developmental factors, averaging 23% (North-Western Europe and the United States), 30% (Central and Eastern Europe), 39% (Mediterranean), 42% (Pacific Asian), and 44% (developing countries). The likelihood of leisure-time physical activity was positively associated with the strength of beliefs in the health benefits of activity and with national economic development (per capita gross domestic product). Knowledge about activity and health was disappointing; with only 40–60% being aware that physical activity was relevant to risk of heart disease.

awareness

In a study of middle school students (N = 603), attitudes toward physical education, knowledge about the benefits of exercise, and beliefs about one's abilities were assessed to determine their influence on exercise intent and current exercise behaviour. As predicted, perceived benefits of exercise, current exercise behaviour, attitudes toward physical education, self-esteem, and gender contributed significantly and independently to exercise intent (total variance explained = 37%). Outside sports activities and attitudes toward physical education contributed significantly and independently to current exercise behaviour (total variance explained = 27%).

Knowledge

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

OverviewThis study is purposed to investigate the awareness on exercise habits among students. There are three main aspects of a student’s awareness that this study will focus on: habits, awareness, knowledge and influence on exercise habits.

SiteThis study was carried out in a co-ed national secondary school in Petaling Jaya. This site was chosen as the area has a balanced population of students of various socio-economic backgrounds. Sekolah Menengah Kebangasaan Taman S.E.A. was chosen as it fulfils the criteria.

ParticipantsThe participants of this study consist of students from various financial and educational backgrounds from a Form 5 class that is 5 Dahlia. A total of 22 males and 8 females from the class were involved in the study.

InstrumentsSurvey forms containing 10 questions for the execution of this study. Each item has 2 options.

Data AnalysisThe survey data was collected and was then analysed using graphs and pie charts

CHAPTER 4 DATA

ANALYSIS

Gender of Student Number of Student %Boys 22 73.3%Girls 8 26.7%

Total 30 100.00%

BMI (kg/m²)Male Female

Number % Number %Underweight (Below 18.5) 9 40.9% 2 25.0%Normal (18.5 – 24.9) 9 40.9% 5 62.5%Overweight (25.0 – 29.9) 2 9.1% 1 12.5%Obese (Above 30.0) 2 9.1% 0 0.0%Total 22 100.0% 7 100.0%

Number of respondents BMI

Distribution of gender

1. Engagement in Physical Exercise Daily

Out of the total of 30 students, 50% of the class never exercise on a daily basis while 50% of the class exercise on a daily basis.

50%

50% NoYes

2. Engagement in Exercise Three Days per Week 40%

60%NoYes

Outcome statistics indicated that 40% of students never exercise more than three days per week. The remaining 60% always exercise more than three times per week.

3. Determination to Exercise

57%

43%NoYes

Out of the total respondents, 57% of students would not push themselves to exercise. 43.3% of students would go ahead and push themselves to exercise.

4. Peer Influence

40%

60%NoYes

A total of 60% of the students’ best friend does not like to exercise while 40% of the students’ best friend likes to exercise.

5. Concern towards body shape

63%

37%

No Yes

Out of the total, 37% students do not care about their body shape when they miss an exercise session 63% students are concerned towards their body shape.

6. Unexpected distraction

33%

67%

NoYes

Based on the figure, 33% of the students will not skip their exercise session when something unexpected comes up. However, 67% students would skip a planned exercise.

7. Skipping exercise

70%

30%

NoYes

Outcome statistics indicated that 70% of the students would never miss a day of exercise of no good reason. Only 30% students will skip exercise.

8. Feeling emotional upon skipping exercise

87%

13%

NoYes

87% of the students never feel emotional (tense, irritable or depressed) when they miss a scheduled exercise session while 13% students feel emotional.

9. Attempting for Making up For Skipped Workout

60%

40%NoYes

Out of the total, 60% of the class never would attempt to make up for a missed workout while 40% of the class students would try to make up.

10. Record of exercise performance

77%

23%

NoYes

Based on the figure, 77% of the students never keep a record of their exercise performance (for example duration of workout, distance or speed of running). Only 23% students keep their exercise record.

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

S

Only half of the students in 5 Dahlia engage in physical exercise on a daily basis. This is probably because they do not have the time to exercise everyday as they have homework to do and tuition class to attend. However, more than half of the students exercise more than three days per week. The research had shown that they do not even push themselves to exercise. This is probably because they could not see the importance of exercising as they are not overweight or obese. Around half of the students in the class feel concerned about their body possibly getting out of shape if they often miss exercise.

Findings 1

Majority of the students may miss a day of exercise for no good reason. This shows that they do not place much emphasis on exercise. This can be further proven when they do not feel tense, irritable or depressed when they missed a scheduled exercise session. Besides that, most of the students do not keep a record of their exercise performance. This means they might not even know whether the exercise they were doing is bringing any positive results or not. By keeping track of their exercise performance, students will be able to know the progress they are making, and to make changes if necessary.

Findings 2

Surfing the Internet, watching television and playing video games are the favourite pastimes of today's students. Parents play a prominent role in encouraging their children to exercise. With their busy lifestyles, it is sometimes hard for parents to take the time to exercise. To show the children that exercise is important, the best way to teach them is to lead by example. Students must understand that good habits and knowledge of exercising can help improve their health and enhance their appearance and confidence. This is crucial in this era where competition is keen to secure positions and jobs in good corporations.

Implications

limitation• The sample size of this survey of 30 students is

too small. The results obtained would not be accurate.

• This study would not be representative of all students of Malaysia. In the same vein, it can hardly be used as a benchmark to compare exercise habits on a regional or global basis.

• As the study is done in an urban area, it cannot be used to reflect the level of awareness of exercising in the rural areas of the country.

Recommendation and Future ResearchThe research was carried out only on a small scale. We hope future researchers can carry out a similar study but on a larger scale so that it could be more representative and reflective of the exercising habits among secondary school students. We would also like to recommend that a similar study be conducted on the Malaysian public so that there is a national level statistics towards planning for a more comprehensive health policy for all Malaysians.