PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RELATED INJURIES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ELEMO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS”, ILU ABA BOR ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential risk factors of physical activity-related injuries (PARI) among Elemo high school students. The study was used a cross-sectional descriptive design and quantitative approach. A sample of 260 selected from 867 grades 9 and 10 students were taken for the study using simple random sampling. The study was conducted at Elemo High School, Ilu Aba Bor Zone, Oromia Regional State. Questionnaires and semi structured interview were used as data gathering instruments. Data gathered through quantitative (questionnaire) would be put into tables with their percentile and analyzed through description, and explanations were given in this study. Whereas, data gathered through qualitative (data through interview) were organized and analyzed in a narrative way in line with the quantitative data. The results of the study indicate that large number of students injured and faced leg injuries. Moreover, exercising on an uneven floor, with illness or in extreme cold weather sometimes would be more likely to expose to physical activity related injuries. Never wearing glasses, suitable shoe or using protective equipment would also be likely experience physical activity related injuries. Warm up and cool down before and after physical activity rarely also shown in the result of the study. The results also indicate looking occasionally physical activity surrounding more vulnerable to suffer from PARI. Based on the major findings of the study the researcher concludes that, large PARI prevalence among high school student and were identified risk factors of PARI, leg injuries and knee pain are the most common types of physical activity related injuries.