Factors That Affect the Participation of Female Students in Apparatus Gymnastic Practical Classes: The Case of Madda Walabu University Sport Science Students

Abstract

This study aims to assess the factors that affect the participation of female students in apparatus gymnastic practical class at Madda Walabu University among sport science students. To accomplish this purpose across sectional descriptive survey design, which is supplemented by qualitative research, was employed. The study was carried out at Madda Walabu University which is found in Bale zone, Oromia regional state in Ethiopia.  In this study, both probability (lottery sampling) and non-probability (purposive) sampling technique were employed to obtain the representative sample units. That means 15 female students were selected randomly while five (5) instructors were selected purposively. At all about 20 or (44.4%) of the population samples were involved in the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument of data collection. While interviews were also utilized to substantiate the data gained through the questionnaire. Percentage, mean, standard deviation and independent sample t test were employed to analyze the quantitative data and qualitative data which was obtained through interview were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of the study revealed that, students have no experience or back grounds about the apparatus gymnastic before they joined the university, their interests to learn apparatus gymnastic and their attitude towards apparatus gymnastic were very low. In addition the situations like shortage of time given for apparatus gymnastic course, female students’ lack of confidence in practical class, lack of favorable condition which enables them to practice apparatus gymnastic in the university and shortage of teaching materials in the university were the factors that contributed for the decrease of students’ interest. The point of the recommendations include: The University’s management with the community should adjust the facilities such as standardized gymnasium and water supply for bathing during practices and should have to allocate the budget in order to fulfill gymnastic materials like: uneven bars, trampolines, balance beam, floor exercise mats, vaulting boxes, different balls and ropes as well as spring boards and others. The university managements have to appreciate and encourage sport science instructors and community to produce and utilize relevant instructional materials, which are locally made to enhance the teaching learning process in apparatus gymnastic.

Keywords: Apparatus gymnastic.  Education, physical education

DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/54-01

Publication date: February 28^th 2021