Abstract

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This study was on risky behaviours in sports and mitigating strategies for tertiary institution athletes in cross river state. The research question state that What is the spatial pattern of excessive alcohol consumption among tertiary institution athletes in Cross River State? The descriptive survey research design was used in the study. The population for this study comprised of 773 respondents; 20 experts (Academics in the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, UNN) and all the 753 student-athletes in public tertiary institutions in the state. The entire population of 773 respondents was used for the study. Completed copies of the questionnaire (PRBSQ) were checked for completeness of information, and from the 753 copies distributed to the student-athletes, 16 copies were not properly completed, therefore, 737 copies were analyzed. All statistical analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The result shows that most of the tertiary institution athletes engaged in excessive alcohol consumption in the school premises or campus (40.2%) and places of residence/ hostels (31.9%). The results suggest that tertiary institution athletes consumed excessive alcohol in the school premises and hotels. The Chi Square test that was conducted to examine the difference in the spatial pattern of risk behaviours among tertiary institutions athletes based on age. There was a significant difference in the spatial pattern of alcohol 2 consumption among students- athletes by age, X (3) =8.791; p=0.032. Based on the findings of the study, it recommends that, school authorities should assist the studentathletes keep away from risk behaviours such as, excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse, by ensuring that these substances are not sold within the school premises.

Keywords: Risk behaviours, Sports, Mitigating strategies, and Alcohol consumption.