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Coaches? knowledge of practices deleterious to sports performance in Nigerian Universities.

Volume: 90  ,  Issue: 1 , December    Published Date: 07 December 2021
Publisher Name: IJRP
Views: 429  ,  Download: 331 , Pages: 159 - 181    
DOI: 10.47119/IJRP1009011220212544

Authors

# Author Name
1 Peter A. Dim
2 Maximus M. Agha
3 Emeka Mong
4 Jeneviv N. John
5 Davidson O. John

Abstract

Coaches are responsible for training athletes in a sport by analysing their performances, imparting relevant skills, and providing encouragement. As such, in the game of sports, knowledge of coaches about practices that are harmful to an athlete's health or performance is critical. This study determined coaches? knowledge of practices deleterious to sports performance in Nigerian Universities. This descriptive research design comprised of a total of 41 sports coaches in south-eastern Nigerian Universities. A structured questionnaire on knowledge about practices deleterious to sports performance questionnaire was self-developed and was used to collect information from the participants. They checked for suitability of items, clarity of language, adequacy, and understanding. Irrelevant items were expunged from the questionnaire and their corrections and amendments were effected accordingly. The validated instrument was subjected to pre-testing and a coefficient of reliability of 0.8 was obtained which was sufficiently high to ensure the reliability of the instrument. Generally, 41.5% of coaches had a high level of knowledge about the different practices deleterious to sports performance while 41.5%, 12.2%, and 4.9% had moderate, low, and poor levels of knowledge respectively. Greater number of coaches had poor levels of knowledge on potentially dangerous exercise (48.8%). The reduced (moderate or lower) level of knowledge regarding practices that are harmful to sports performance demonstrated by a great number of coaches calls for a need for adequate sports safety education for all University coaches.