Appraisal of exercise prescription by keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to appraise exercise prescription procedures by the keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used. One hundred and thirty participants volunteered for the study. The instrument for data collection (questionnaire) yielded an internal consistency of 0.76. Percentages and frequencies were used to analyze the research questions postulated. The results indicated that keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis are not familiar with fundamental principles of exercise and do not consider age and gender in exercise prescription. It was concluded that keep fit instructors in the Kumasi Metropolis lack the basic principles of physical training with specific reference to type, duration and frequency of activity, and the effect of age, gender, fitness levels and health conditions on exercise. It was recommended that certificate courses should be organized for keep fit instructors by universities or other relevant bodies that conduct programmes in physical education.