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Effect of Physical Activity Programmes on Physical Activity Levels among Women of Reproductive Age in Nigeria

Abstract

Regular physical activity is an important component of healthy living and may contribute to the prevention of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases among women of reproductive age. Despite its health benefits, many women may have inadequate levels of physical activity because of sedentary occupations, household responsibilities, limited recreational facilities, safety concerns, lack of time, cultural expectations, and insufficient awareness of appropriate physical activity practices. In Nigeria, these challenges may be particularly relevant as women balance employment, education, family responsibilities, and other social demands. Structured physical activity programmes provide an opportunity to promote regular exercise through organized activities, education, group sessions, individualized guidance, and community-based interventions. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of physical activity programmes on physical activity levels among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on Social Cognitive Theory, the Health Belief Model, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Social Cognitive Theory explains how self-efficacy, observational learning, behavioural reinforcement, social support, and environmental factors influence the adoption and maintenance of physical activity behaviours. The Health Belief Model explains how women's perceptions of their susceptibility to physical inactivity-related health problems, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action may influence participation in physical activity. The Theory of Planned Behavior explains how attitudes toward exercise, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and behavioural intentions may influence women's participation in physical activity programmes. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how structured physical activity programmes may influence physical activity levels among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental or analytical cross-sectional research design. The study population will comprise women of reproductive age residing in selected urban and rural communities, workplaces, educational institutions, community organizations, and healthcare settings across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select states, local government areas, communities, institutions, workplaces, and eligible women. Physical activity programmes will be assessed using indicators such as programme availability, frequency and duration of sessions, types of physical activities offered, participation frequency, structured exercise sessions, group-based activities, individualized exercise guidance, health education, monitoring, and follow-up support. Physical activity levels will be assessed using appropriate validated physical activity assessment instruments, such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and indicators including frequency, duration, intensity, and overall activity level. Where feasible, objective measures such as step counts or activity-monitoring devices may also be used to complement self-reported information. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, physical activity assessment tools, programme attendance records, and relevant monitoring records. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participants' characteristics, programme participation, and physical activity levels. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the effect of physical activity programmes on physical activity levels. Where a quasi-experimental design is adopted, physical activity levels before and after participation in the programme will be compared to determine changes associated with the intervention. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that structured physical activity programmes have a significant positive effect on physical activity levels among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Women who participate regularly in organized physical activity programmes are expected to demonstrate higher levels of physical activity than women without access to structured programmes. Regular group exercise, individualized guidance, health education, monitoring, and social support may improve women's motivation, confidence, and ability to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. Physical activity programmes may also encourage women to reduce sedentary behaviours and adopt sustainable exercise habits. However, limited time, household responsibilities, financial constraints, inadequate recreational facilities, safety concerns, environmental conditions, cultural expectations, and lack of social support may restrict participation and long-term adherence. The study therefore expects accessible, affordable, safe, culturally appropriate, and sustainable physical activity programmes to contribute significantly to improved physical activity levels among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on physical activity programmes, physical activity levels, women's health, non-communicable disease prevention, health promotion, exercise behaviour, reproductive-age women's health, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state ministries of health, local government health authorities, workplaces, universities, community organizations, healthcare providers, fitness professionals, women's health organizations, development partners, and policymakers regarding strategies for increasing physical activity among women. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating physical activity promotion into women's health and primary healthcare programmes, developing community-based exercise initiatives, improving access to safe recreational spaces, providing culturally appropriate physical activity education, strengthening workplace and community wellness programmes, and reducing social and environmental barriers to regular physical activity among women of reproductive age across Nigeria.

Keywords: Physical activity programmes, physical activity levels, women of reproductive age, exercise, health promotion, non-communicable disease prevention, women's health, physical activity participation, sedentary behaviour, Nigeria, public health.