A comparative study of the quality of life at athlete and nonathlete undergraduate students of a Nigerian university

Abstract

This study compared the quality of life of athletes and non-athletes undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Subjects were recruited using non-probability sampling technique. They were consecutively assigned into two groups of athletes and non athletes, until 300 subjects completed the 6 minute distance run test and completed and returned the SF- 12 health survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of Chi square were used to analyze the data obtained. Significance was set at 0.05 α-level.
Results obtained showed that athletes had a significant better perception of their emotional well being than their non-athletes’ counterpart (P<0.05). Results on other aspect of domains of quality of life of athletes and non-athletes were however similar. It was therefore concluded that participation in sport should be encouraged among students as this will enhance emotional stability and promote better quality of living.

Key words:

quality of life, athlete, emotional stability