RELATIONSHIP OF ROUTINE PHYSICAL ACTICITY ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND RESTING PULSE RATE OT ACADEMIC STAFF IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine out the influence of routine physical activity on body composition and
cardiovascular fitness status of academic staff in tertiary institutions in Katsina State. Nigeria. For the purpose of this study
the ex-post-facto research design was used. The population was all male academic staff in tertiary institutions in Katsina
State, purposive, proportionate and random sampling procedures were used to select 176 male academic staff to participate
in the study. Sphygmomanometer (K-112 aneroid type) and Dual Head stethoscope (Model No. S-223) was used to
determine blood pressure and resting heart rate of the participants. Routine physical activity questionnaire was used to
determine routine physical activity of the participants of this study. The data collected were statistically analysed using
regression analysis with significant level at P=0.05. Systolic blood pressure (F = 1.202, P=0.008), diastolic blood pressure (F
= 0.802, P=0.00) and resting pulse rate (F = 0.675, P=0.010) at the end of study. It was recommended that Academic staff
should be encouraged to engage themselves in routine physical activities with a view to improve their cardiovascular
variables in order to achieve the best of health results, PA should be practised at a moderate intensity level on everyday life,
Individuals no matter their status should be involved in physical activities and recreation which should last for at least 30
minutes three (3 days a week) and Sedentary individuals should be encouraged to begin with low-intensity physical activity.