Abstract

This study compared the quality of life of athletes and non-athletes undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Subjects were recruited using non-probability sampling technique. They were consecutively assigned into two groups of athletes and non athletes, until 300 subjects completed the 6 minute distance run test and completed and returned the SF- 12 health survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of Chi square were used to analyze the data obtained. Significance was set at 0.05 α-level.
Results obtained showed that athletes had a significant better perception of their emotional well being than their non-athletes’ counterpart (P<0.05).  Results on other aspect of domains of quality of life of athletes and non-athletes were however similar. It was therefore concluded that participation in sport should be encouraged among students as this will enhance emotional stability and promote better quality of living.