Building a Culture of Health and Safety Awareness in Wellness Programmes in Gym Centres in Delta StateBuilding a Culture of Health and Safety Awareness in Wellness Programmes in Gym Centres in Delta State
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the Study
The study is designed to investigate the importance and impact of building a culture of health and safety awareness in wellness programs within gym centres in Delta State. The specific objectives of the study are:
- To assess the level of health and safety awareness among gym staff and members in Delta State.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current wellness programs in promoting health and safety awareness in gym centres.
- To identify the challenges faced by gym centres in Delta State in implementing health and safety protocols.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Conceptual Review
2.1.1 Health Awareness
Health awareness is generally understood as the conscious understanding of factors contributing to overall well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health. It involves not only knowing how to maintain a healthy lifestyle but also being aware of various health risks and how to prevent them. This awareness is a vital aspect of public health and wellness programs, as it empowers individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health choices (Saks, Gruman, & Zhang, 2021). The significance of health awareness is particularly pronounced in environments such as gym centres, where individuals are actively engaging in activities that can both enhance and potentially harm their health.
According to authors like Goetzel et al. (2024), health awareness involves the knowledge of preventive measures against diseases, recognizing the early symptoms of health issues, and maintaining a proactive approach to well-being. Such awareness includes regular exercise, balanced diets, mental health care, and periodic medical checkups. The primary focus of health awareness has traditionally been on physical health, particularly through the promotion of exercise and nutrition. However, recent scholarship has expanded the definition to also include mental and emotional health, recognizing their impact on overall wellness (Broccoli, Gastaldi, & Corso, 2022). This broader view is essential in the context of gym centres, where mental well-being is often overlooked.
Despite the comprehensive understanding of health awareness, there remains a critique of many definitions, which predominantly emphasize physical health while neglecting the critical role of mental health. In gym environments, this may lead to a gap where mental well-being strategies, such as stress management or mental health resources, are not integrated into wellness programs (Burnett & Lisk, 2021). Therefore, while the promotion of physical health is undeniably important, it must be complemented by an equal focus on mental and emotional health to create holistic wellness programs.
The relevance of health awareness in gym centres cannot be overstated. However, its limitations become evident when considering that many gym members may be unaware of safety protocols beyond exercise routines, such as injury prevention techniques or the psychological aspects of fitness programs. These gaps in safety awareness may hinder the establishment of truly safe and healthy environments (Lee et al., 2024). Hence, a more inclusive approach to health awareness, addressing both physical and mental health, is essential in these setting
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The research design for this study was a cross-sectional survey, which was employed to capture a snapshot of the current state of wellness programs, particularly exercise-focused initiatives, in Nigerian money deposit banks. A cross-sectional survey design is widely used in social sciences and business research as it enables the collection of data from a population at a specific point in time. This design is suitable for studies aiming to explore the prevalence of certain phenomena or behaviors and to identify patterns or correlations between variables (Bell, 2022).
In this case, the cross-sectional survey design was chosen because it allows for the collection of data on the relationship between wellness program participation and employee health outcomes at a particular moment, without the need for long-term tracking or experimental manipulation. By collecting data from a sample of employees within the target organizations, the study aimed to identify correlations between participation in wellness programs and various health outcomes, such as improvements in physical fitness, mental well-being, and stress management. According to Saunders et al. (2019), cross-sectional studies are especially useful when researchers aim to examine the relationships between variables in a large population at a single point in time, making this design well-suited for investigating the effectiveness of wellness programs across different organizations.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Data Presentation
Demographic Distribution of Respondents
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of Findings
The study aimed to assess the health and safety awareness among gym staff and members in Delta State, evaluate the effectiveness of wellness programs, and identify the challenges faced by gym centres in implementing health and safety protocols. The findings from the study revealed significant insights into the state of health and safety practices in gyms, the role of wellness programs in promoting safety, and the obstacles preventing the successful implementation of these protocols.
The first objective of the study was to assess the level of health and safety awareness among gym staff and members. The results showed that a majority of gym staff and members were well-informed about the importance of health and safety measures in the gym environment. A large proportion of gym staff confirmed that they were knowledgeable about safety measures, with 78.9% agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement that gym staff members are well-informed about health and safety protocols. Similarly, gym members expressed a strong awareness of basic safety measures during workouts, with 77% agreeing that they understood the essential safety practices. These findings indicate a positive level of awareness among both staff and members in the gym centres. However, a small percentage of respondents, both staff and members, were either uncertain or disagreed with these statements, suggesting that there might be gaps in knowledge or implementation that could be addressed through further training or awareness initiatives.
Conclusion
Based on the results from the hypotheses tested, the study concluded that significant differences exist in the level of health and safety awareness between gym staff and members in Delta State. The results from the one-sample t-test indicated that the level of health and safety awareness among gym staff and members was significantly higher than the assumed mean of 0, supporting the rejection of the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in awareness levels. The study also found that wellness programs in gym centres in Delta State have a significant impact on health and safety awareness. The one-sample t-test results showed that the effectiveness of wellness programs in promoting safety awareness was significantly above the assumed mean, thus rejecting the null hypothesis that wellness programs do not significantly impact health and safety awareness. Furthermore, the study highlighted the significant challenges faced by gym centres in implementing health and safety protocols, particularly concerning training, resources, and communication. The findings showed that gym centres struggle with maintaining staff training and updating safety protocols regularly, as well as facing resource limitations that hinder effective implementation. Overall, the study confirmed that while awareness and wellness programs contribute positively to health and safety, challenges in implementation remain, requiring ongoing attention and improvements.
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