COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL

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Author

Presented To

Department of Education

ABSTRACT
The study was on the physical fitness of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel. The motivation for the research was kindled by the observed variations in the results of physically demanding tasks performed by personnel of the three Armed Services in joint military operations. The study was to assess the physical fitness of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel towards ensuring the proper assignment of physically demanding tasks to the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel during joint military operations in order to enhance operational efficiency.The research methodology applied in the study was basically descriptive. Data were collected using field method and document analysis. In achieving the purpose of the study, 35 male and 20 female Nigerian Army personnel, 30 male and 13 female Nigerian Air Force personnel and 25 male and 10 female Nigerian Navy personnel were randomly selected to serve as participants in this study. The 3.2km run/walk test for cardio-respiratory endurance, sit-up test for muscular endurance, push-up test for muscular strength and BMI computation for body composition were conducted on the participants. The data thus collected were statistically analyzed. The findings of this study revealed that the Nigerian Army personnel had significantly better cardio-respiratory endurance than their counterparts from the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy. Nigerian Army personnel also had significantly greater muscular strength and muscular endurance. Furthermore, the Nigerian Army personnel had significantly more favourable body composition. The performances of the participants in the tests were measured against the physical fitness standards established for the Nigerian Armed Forces. On the basisof the findings of this study, it was recommended that during joint military operations, the highest volume of physically demanding tasks should be assigned to the Nigerian Army personnel, followed by the Nigerian Navy and then the Nigerian Air Force. In addition, it was recommended that the three Armed Services should strengthen the physical training programmes of their female personnel. Furthermore, it was also recommended that the three Armed Services should embark on weight control programmes for their personnel.