Practice And Challenges Of Short Distance Runners In Selected Oromia Region Athletics Club

Abstract

Introduction: Ethiopian short distance runners’ performance registered at international level was not satisfactory as compared to middle and long distance running performance. Objective: the purpose of this study was to investigate the practice and challenges of short distance runners in selected Oromia region athletics club. Methods: Cross sectional research design was employed to collect the data from participants. Simple random sampling was used to select sprinters (N = 75). Purposive sampling was used to select experts (N= 4), coaches (N= 4) and administrative workers (N= 4). Questionnaire, interview and observational check list was used to collect the data. Data were analysed using SPSS, Version 26. All significance level was set at P-value < 0.05. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyse the data. Results: the result of the study shows there were significant negative correlation between practice and challenges of short distance runners in selected Oromia region athletics club, r (74) = -0.71**, p = 0.001. Conclusion: The finding of the study shows that challenges of sprinters performance affecting the practice of short distance runners in selected Oromia region athletics club. Therefore, we recommended that Oromia Regional State and Oromia Athletics clubs advised to work together to work on the challenges affecting the performance sprinters.