Evaluation Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Of Inmates In Kano Metropolis Prisons

Abstract

Incarceration has been associated with reduced physical activity. Also, physical inactivity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of inmates in Kano-Nigeria prisons. A cross-sectional study was design to determine the prevalence of low CRF of inmates in Kano prisons. Subjects' CRF was assessed using the 20 meter shuttle run test (20 MST). Simple percentage (%), students't test and Chi square test were used to analyze variables of interest. One hundred and sixteen inmates (108 [93.1%] males and 8 [6.9%] females) and sixty free subjects (40 [66.7%] male and 20 [33.3%]females) participated in the study. Findings of the study revealed high (93.10%) prevalence of low CRF among inmates and low level of exercise activities was the main complaint by inmates. It was concluded that the prevalence of low CRF was high among inmates in Kano prisons. Period of incarceration and low level of exercise activities are the causes of low CRF among prisoners in Kano-Nigeria.

Keywords: Prison; Inmate; Cardorespiratory; Physical fitness; Kano

The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol 19 No 1 (January 2012)