DANCE, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND NATION BULDING: WHAT RELATIONSHIP?

This position paper examines the relevance of dance and dance aerobics to attainment of physical fitness and nation building. Literature reviewed indicated that dance as a subset of physical activity is correlated with improvement of both health and performance-related physical fitness. From the Physical and Health Education standpoint, the use of aerobic dance as a preventive and therapeutic intervention in many health, psychological, and social issues was confirmed. It concluded that dance develops physical fitness which in turn builds a socially, psychologically, physically and economically healthy nation.  Article visualizations

ANTHROPOMETRIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INSTITUTION-BASED SECURITY PERSONNEL IN NIGERIA

This study investigated the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of institution-based security personnel in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study were the male security personnel of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife and Wesley-Guild Hospital (WGH), Ilesa, Osun State. Sample comprised sixty middle-aged volunteers drawn from the Security Departments of the three institutions. Inclusion criteria for the study was passing a preliminary health screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors. Anthropometric parameters were measured in line with the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)’s protocol. Participants’ weight and height were measured with an Electronic BMI scale and blood pressure was recorded using Aneroid sphygmomanometer. Participants’ VO2 max was estimated from the Cooper 12-minutes run/walk test. Data was recorded in a structured data sheet. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviations was used to analyse data. The results showed that the mean age of security personnel in the study was 41.7 ± 5.749, while their mean height and weight were 171.0 ± 7.353 and 69.2 ± 7.322 respectively. The mean of personnel’s waist and hip circumferences were 40.68 ± 3.968 and 46.68 ± 2.813 respectively. The mean of skinfolds (Ʃ4 Skf), percent body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI of security personnel were 50.03 ± 15.797, 22.37 ± 5.175, 0.87 ± 0.062 and 23.66 ± 2.386 respectively. Their mean resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and VO2 max were 63.77 ± 8.77, 119.42 ± 9.30, 80.17 ± 8.54 and 43.95 ± 43.95 respectively. The study concluded that institution-based security personnel are similar to the civilian population in terms of anthropometric and physiological characteristics.  Article visualizations

EFFECTS OF AN 8-WEEK INTERMITTENT AEROBIC EXERCISE ON THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY PERSONNEL IN NIGERIA

This study determined the effects of an 8-week intermittent aerobic exercise training on the resting electrocardiogram and physiological parameters of institutional security personnel in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC). The study adopted a pretest-posttest-control group experimental design. The population for the study were male security personnel of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife. Forty middle-aged volunteers who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either of Intermittent Training Group, ITG (n = 20) or control (n = 20). A structured exercise training programme, Intermittent Exercise Training Programme was used to train the ITG for 8 weeks. Resting ECG was recorded pre and post-intervention with a 12-lead Electrocardiograph, weight and height were measured with an electronic BMI scale. Blood pressure was recorded before and after exercise sessions. Participants in ITG performed the 12-minutes run/walk test before and after the 8 weeks intervention. Borg’s rating of perceived exertion scale was used to gauge exercise intensity and a structured data sheet was used for recording data. Paired- sample t- Test statistics was used to analyse data. The results showed that intermittent aerobic exercise training neither produced significant effect on the resting ECG parameters in terms of intervals; RR- interval (t = -0.79; p > 0.05), P- wave duration (t = -0.64; p > 0.05), PR- interval (t = -0.08; p > 0.05), QRS- Complex (t = -0.99; p > 0.05) and QTC (t = -1.20; p > 0.05) nor axes P- Axis (t = -0.06; p > 0.05), QRS- Axis (t = 0.78; p > 0.05) and T- Axis (t = 0.60; p > 0.05). It however affected participants’ heart rate (t = 4.41; p < 0.05) and VO2 max (t = -11.25; p < 0.05). The study concluded that intermittent aerobic exercise training produced no significant effect on the resting ECG parameters but significantly reduced heart rate and increased VO2 max.  Article visualizations

EFFECT OF A TWO-DAY AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON THE SAFETY KNOWLEDGE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN MODAKEKE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the effect of a two-day awareness programme on the safety knowledge of primary school pupils in Modakeke, Osun State. It compared the safety knowledge of pupils by gender and type of school. The study adopted the pretest-posttest experimental research design. A total of 200 pupils (110 Males and 90 females) were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Stratification was based on school type (Public and Private). A self-developed questionnaire was used to gather information on the safety knowledge of pupils before and after a 2-day intervention programme which exposed them to information on accident prevention measures at different settings in the school including road, laboratory, school garden, classrooms and staircase and playground. The pretest and posttest scores were compared and the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis yielded r=1 p ˃ 0.05. It was concluded that the awareness programme improved the school safety knowledge of primary school pupils at all settings. Regular short-term safety awareness programmes were recommended in schools.  Article visualizations

Application of UAV photogrammetry for the assessment of forest structure and species network in the tropical forests of Southern Nigeria

Using the object-based image analysis (OBIA) technique, this study examined structural characteristics, quantified carbon stocks, and identified tree species in the tropical forests of southwestern Nigeria. The Structure from Motion (SfM) technique was used to produce orthomosaics with a ground sampling distance of 10 m from orthophotos recorded during a survey and optimized for forest assessment with the near-infrared band. In addition to tree species variables, GPS coordinates, tree diameter, and tree crown were all employed to estimate carbon stock in the study area. Carbon stock estimates of 450 tons per hectare were estimated , with a tree-specific range of 65 kg per tree to 8,488 kg per tree. There was a correlation between tree canopies and diameters, but no conclusive relationships between tree species distribution and position in their natural formations. OBIA significantly enhanced the current carbon inventory and provided a spatial characterization of species distribution in the research area

Impact of mining on the floristic association of gold mined sites in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract Background Occurrences in land use, human activities and climate change have both direct and indirect influences on the environment. Of interest for this study is mining; a common activity in developing countries such as Nigeria which is endowed with over 34 solid minerals. The gold mining sites in the Southwest region of the country is predominantly by Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM). Though the benefits are known, its induced consequences are enormous. To understand its extent of floristic diversity, identification of functional plants and plant species surviving on the mined sites (despite its characterized mining and alteration level); this study compared the floristic composition of an abandoned mining site (Site 1), an active mining site (Site 2) and an undisturbed vegetation sites (Control) of similar vegetation zone. Results A total of 54, 28 and 37 species belonging to 31, 20 and 23 families were found on Site 1, Site 2 and the control site, respectively. It shows that the floristic composition of all the sites has been altered due to its past intense agricultural colonization and human activities, but severe on Site 1 and 2 due to mining. Lots of the identified species are functional species and stand as ecological indicators. Species such as Acanthus montanus and Icacina trichantha found on the Control sites are native and significance but species such as Capsicum frutescens and Crassocephalum crepidioides on Site 2 are due to human inference while most species on Site 1 shows both original and altered floristic composition (e.g. Adenia venenata and Grewia flavescens). Conclusions Apart from the on-going farming activities, ASM activities such as pollution, deforestation and exposure of the forest soils to direct sunlight has greatly stressed and disturbed the floristic composition, species richness, life form patterns, of the mined sites as well as introduction of non-native plant species. It is therefore necessary to develop effective approaches and policies to curb these illegal ASM activities, empower the community (especially youths), stabilize the economy and establish sustainable development strategies with adequate reclamation measures