Abstract

The numerous advantages of participation in physical activities (physical exercise) are: increased efficiency of heart and lungs; increased muscle strength and endurance; maintenance of proper body weight; and reduction of risk of coronary heart diseases.  The study was conducted to ascertain students’ knowledge of the effects of physical activities on their health as well as their level of participation in physical activities, for the purpose of achieving optimum level of health (wellness) in the new millennium.  A total of three hundred (300) students randomly selected from the three campuses of tertiary institutions in Calabar served as subjects of the study. Three research questions were generated to guide the study.  A well structured and validated questionnaire was used to gather information from the subjects.  The study revealed that most of the subjects of the study (96%) displayed high knowledge of the effects of physical activities on human health. Level of participation in physical activities was found low, probable reasons deduced for poor level of participation were enumerated, while suggestions were made on how to raise level of participation in physical activities with the aim of using same to achieve good health/optimum level of well being in the new millennium.

Key words: Physical activities, university students, utilization, good health.