Demographics Variables and Athletes’ Performance in Track Events in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State

This research studied the performance of athletes in 100m, 200m, 400m, and 4 x 400m relay races in secondary schools based on two demographic variables (age and experience). The bivariate and interactive effects of these variables were assessed based on three null hypotheses formulated to guide the study. The research is quantitative and followed the ex-post facto design. The population comprised 1,180 junior and senior secondary schools students in 24 public secondary schools in Calabar Metropolis. A total of 863 students were selected based on their previous experiences in track events. Data were collected using a questionnaire tagged “Performance in Track Events Questionnaire (PTEQ). Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; while inferential statistics such as one- and two-way ANOVA were used to test the null hypotheses at the .05 level of significance. No significant influence of age on athletes’ performance in all the track events was found. Athletes experience significantly influenced their performance in all the track events. There is a significant interaction of age and experience on athletes’ performance in all track events in secondary schools. It was concluded that some demographic variables affect student-athletes performance in track events, while others do not. Based on this conclusion, relevant practical and research implications were discussed for sustained or improved performance in track events.