MUSCULAR STRENGTH AS A MEASURE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS LEVEL OF NIGERIAN PARAMILITARY PERSONNEL

Abstract

The study was on the muscular strength as a measure of physical fitness of Nigerian Para-military personnel. The 
motivation for the research was kindled by the observed variations in the results of physically demanding tasks 
carried out by personnel of the selected Para-military Services in joint security operations. The study was to assess 
the physical fitness of Nigerian Para-military personnel towards ensuring the proper assignment of physically 
demanding tasks to the Para-military personnel during joint security operations in order to enhance operational 
efficiency. The research methodology applied in the study was basically descriptive. Data were collected using field 
method and document analysis. In achieving the purpose of the study, 35 male and 20 female of Nigeria Civil 
Defence personnel, 30 male and 13 female Nigeria Road Safety personnel and 25 male and 10 female Nigerian 
Immigration personnel were randomly selected to serve as participants in this study. The sit-up test for muscular 
endurance was conducted on the participants. The data thus collected were statistically analyzed. The findings of 
this study revealed that the Nigeria Civil Defence personnel also had significantly greater muscular strength and 
muscular endurance. The performances of the participants in the tests were measured against the physical fitness 
standards established for the Nigerian Para-military personnel. On the basis of the findings of this study, it was 
recommended that during joint security operations, the highest volume of physically demanding tasks should be 
assigned to the Nigerian Civil Defence personnel, followed by the Nigerian Road Safety and then the Nigerian 
Immigration. In addition, it was recommended that the three selected Para-military personnel should strengthen the 
physical training programmes of their female personnel.