Abstract
This study assessed the impact of board games on the mental and social health of student-athletes in university of Benin . Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The sample size for the study was One hundred (100) respondents were selected for this study through the simple random sampling technique from University of Benin. The findings of this study were as follows: board games have a significant impact on mental stress relief among student athletes in University of Benin .
there is a strong relationship between board games and creative energy release.
a strong relationship between board games and social skills. It was also seen that board games have a significant impact on the social skills of student athletes in University of Benin .
there was a strong relationship between recreational value and board games among student athletes. Also, board games do hold a significant recreational value among student athletes in University of Benin .The following recommendations were made: More attention should be drawn in Nigeria’s higher institutions towards board games
Students should be encouraged to play board games due to the positive impact it can have on their mental and social skills.
Due to its recreational value, students should always engage in board games
Students can tap into their creative energy when they participate in board games, hence they should take pleasure in participating in the game.
