Perceived knowledge of the benefits of exercise/sports and extent of participation for health promotion among adolescents/adults in Ebonyi State

This study investigated the perceived knowledge of the benefits and extent of exercise and sports participation for health promotion among adolescents/adults in Ebonyi state. This was cross-sectional quantitative survey research design conducted among 252 adolescents/adults in Ebonyi state. A semi structured questionnaire using purposive/continence sampling was the instrument and sampling method used for data collection. The analysis of data was done using using mean (x) and standard deviation to answer the research questions, and t-test statistics to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The results shows that the respondents possess high knowledge of benefit of exercise and sports participation for health promotion in Ebonyi State, with the overall mean score (x̅ =3.4). There was also high extent of exercise and sport participation for health promotion among adolescents/adults. with the overall mean score (x̅= 3.5). Based on the findings, the study recommended that: Government should develop comprehensive public health campaigns that highlight the benefits of regular exercise and these campaigns to sustain and maintain the high knowledge of exercise and sports participation in Ebonyi state. Moreover, government at all levels should prioritize sport education that not only teaches skills but also promotes lifelong fitness habits and healthy lifestyle choices and provide training for physical education teachers to enhance their ability to teach the value of sports and fitness effectively in schools.