Investigation of the perception of selected stress factors influencing track performance of student athletes in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya

This study investigated perception of selected stress factors influencing track performance of student athletes in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design. The target population comprised of 3,584 form two and three students in secondary schools in Nakuru County. A sample of 351 students was drawn using purposive and stratified random sampling. Data was collected through structured self-administered questionnaires. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypothesis was tested using regression analysis of .05 level of significance. Data was analyzed by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer package Version 22.0. The findings of this study may enable coaches to come up with appropriate mechanisms that may help athletes manage their stress effectively. Similarly it may help secondary schools in Kenya institute appropriate interventions to help athletes cope with the stress associated with their sporting careers. The study will also help in building on existing literature related to sources of stress, coping strategies and school based interventions among students athlete in secondary schools. First, the study found out that competition related stress did not influence track performance among athletes in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. Second, the study established that institutional related stress negatively influences track performance among athletes in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. Third the study found out that ppersonality related stress positively influences track performance among athletes in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. Fourth, the study established that stress coping strategies adopted by students’ athletes negatively influences track performance among athletes in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. Fifth, the study established that school based interventions used by students’ athletes positively influences track performance among athletes in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education in Conjunction with Department of Sports of the Ministry of Social Services should develop Secondary School Sports Policy with Sports Stress Management Guidelines to help manage the emerging sports related stress in Secondary Schools in Kenya. Copies of the policy should be availed in all Secondary Schools in Kenya for use by both Games Masters and Teacher Counsellors ion the Schools.