PERCEIVED EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON DYSMENORRHEA AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU UNIVERSITY, ANYIGBA, KOGI STATE.

The study focused on the effect of exercise on dysmenorrhea among female undergraduate students in Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State. Cross sectional survey research design was adopted for this study to enable the researcher obtain valuable information from the respondents on the topic under investigation. The population of this study comprised all female undergraduate students enrolled at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State which amount to 11,655. The instrument used for this study was questionnaire. The instrument was validated by the supervisor and two other experts in the department of human kinetics and health education, Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data collected for this study. Findings of the study showed that most students favored moderate-intensity and aerobic exercises such as jogging and brisk walking, while less structured or less familiar forms of physical activity, such as yoga and indoor exercises, were largely unpopular. Also, students differ significantly in the forms of exercise they choose, underscoring a variation in preferences across different physical activities. Finally, a majority of students agreed that exercise helped them reduce cramps, improve emotional stability, and enhance physical comfort during menstruation. The study therefore recommend that the university health center and student affairs division should organize regular health education campaigns to inform female students about effective coping strategies for dysmenorrhea, including the role of exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management.