From motion to motivation: the relationship of physical activity on Filipino students’ self-efficacy for learning
Main Article Content
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17979/sportis.2025.11.4.11967Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between physical activity engagement and self-efficacy for learning among college students. The primary purpose is to examine how different levels of physical activity influence students' confidence in their academic abilities, focusing on areas such as motivation, emotional management, problem-solving, and self-regulation. A quantitative research design, specifically descriptive correlation, was employed to assess the physical activity engagement and self-efficacy of 674 randomly selected respondents. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to measure the level of physical activity, while a Self-efficacy for Learning Scale was utilized to assess students' self-belief in their academic capabilities. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency counts, means, and Pearson correlation coefficient, were used for data analysis. The findings indicate that most respondents (53%) are highly engaged in physical activity and have high Self-Efficacy for Learning (mean = 2.92). A significant relationship between physical activity engagement and self-efficacy for learning (r=.160**; p=.001) was also revealed, suggesting that higher levels of physical activity are positively linked to increased self-efficacy. These results have important implications for educational institutions, suggesting that promoting physical activity may contribute to students' academic confidence and overall success. The study concludes that a holistic approach, integrating physical and academic development, is essential for fostering well-rounded students. It also recommends that future research explore the long-term effects of physical activity on academic outcomes and investigate specific types of physical activities that are most beneficial for enhancing self-efficacy.
Keywords:
Article Details
References
Acosta-Gonzaga, E., & Ramirez-Arellano, A. (2021). The influence of motivation, emotions, cognition, and metacognition on students’ learning performance: A comparative study in higher education in blended and traditional contexts. Sage Open, 11(2), 21582440211027560. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211027561
Adlaon, G., Kulano, K. S., Crase, E. P., Mangindra, N. M., & Abalos, E. I. R. A. (2024). The Elementary School Teachers’ Motivational Types and Their Individual Performance Commitment. Indonesian Journal of Education Research (IJoER), 5(5), 196–204. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37251/ijoer.v5i5.1128
Affuso, G., Zannone, A., Esposito, C., Pannone, M., Miranda, M. C., De Angelis, G., Aquilar, S., Dragone, M., & Bacchini, D. (2023). The effects of teacher support, parental monitoring, motivation and self-efficacy on academic performance over time. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 38(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-021-00594-6
Alliott, O., Ryan, M., Fairbrother, H., & van Sluijs, E. (2022). Do adolescents’ experiences of the barriers to and facilitators of physical activity differ by socioeconomic position? A systematic review of qualitative evidence. Obesity Reviews, 23(3), e13374. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13374
Belcher, B. R., Zink, J., Azad, A., Campbell, C. E., Chakravartti, S. P., & Herting, M. M. (2021). The roles of physical activity, exercise, and fitness in promoting resilience during adolescence: effects on mental well-being and brain development. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 6(2), 225–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.08.005
Chuang, Y.-T., Huang, T.-H., Lin, S.-Y., & Chen, B.-C. (2022). The influence of motivation, self-efficacy, and fear of failure on the career adaptability of vocational school students: Moderated by meaning in life. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 958334. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.958334
Chughtai, M. S., Syed, F., Naseer, S., & Chinchilla, N. (2024). Role of adaptive leadership in learning organizations to boost organizational innovations with change self-efficacy. Current Psychology, 43(33), 27262–27281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04669-z
Chung, H. Q., Chen, V., & Olson, C. B. (2021). The impact of self-assessment, planning and goal setting, and reflection before and after revision on student self-efficacy and writing performance. Reading and Writing, 34(7), 1885–1913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-021-10186-x
Cruz, D., & Bryan, C. J. (2023). Self-Efficacy and its Relationship to the Resilience of Adolescents in South Central Mindanao, Philippines: A Post-Pandemic Study. Self-Efficacy and Its Relationship to the Resilience of Adolescents in South Central Mindanao, Philippines: A Post-Pandemic Study (July 1, 2023).
Esponja, J. C. P., Tulud, D. M., Esto, J. B., Santos, J. A. D., Paylangco, C. L. B., Francisco, J. B., Nadela, L. I. C., Calixtro, M. A., Dagoc, P. P., Tagare, R. L., Dee, M. R., Canape, L. F., Wariza, C. J., Tenebroso, D. A. C., & Bicodo-Ortele, L. (2025). The Relationship between Social Appearance Anxiety and Holistic Self-Esteem among University Students in Southern Philippines. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(3), 607–615. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujph.2025.130309
Esto, J. B., Java, V. P., Elumaring, J. B., Tagare, R. L., Martinez, N. D., Rosario, M. A. B., Reyes, M. D. L., Dalipe, M. A. R., San Pedro, M. E., Villarta, C. W. S., Celestial, S. D., Saniel, J. P. S., & Mangubat, C. M. T. (2025). Stepping Towards Growth: Examining the Relationship Between Physical Activity Engagement and Personal Growth Initiative Among Filipino Students. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 13(2), 435–442. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2025.130221
Fokkens-Bruinsma, M., Vermue, C., Deinum, J.-F., & Van Rooij, E. (2021). First-year academic achievement: the role of academic self-efficacy, self-regulated learning and beyond classroom engagement. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 46(7), 1115–1126. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2020.1845606
Fullerton, D. J., Zhang, L. M., & Kleitman, S. (2021). An integrative process model of resilience in an academic context: Resilience resources, coping strategies, and positive adaptation. Plos One, 16(2), e0246000. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246000
Herbert, C. (2022). Enhancing mental health, well-being and active lifestyles of university students by means of physical activity and exercise research programs. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 849093. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.849093
Hung, S.-T., Cheng, Y.-C., Wu, C.-C., & Su, C.-H. (2023). Examining physical wellness as the fundamental element for achieving holistic well-being in older persons: review of literature and practical application in daily life. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 1889–1904. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S419306
Kim, D. H., Kim, J. H., & Park, K.-J. (2023). The impact of regular exercise, competition experience, and physical self-efficacy on psychological resilience. Revista de Psicología Del Deporte (Journal of Sport Psychology), 32(3), 1–19.
Mancera, M. A., Sumera, E. S., Tagare, R. L., Lopez, G. E., Orgeta, I. M., Haji Kasan, Y. T., Cristobal, H. D., Aton, A. G., & Adlaon, G. (2025). In the zone or out of bounds? How sports and physical activity anxiety affects life satisfaction among students. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 14(3), 1844–2966. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v14i3.33530
Noor, S., Tajik, O., & Golzar, J. (2022). Simple random sampling. International Journal of Education & Language Studies, 1(2), 78–82.
Omura, J. D., Whitfield, G. P., Chen, T. J., Hyde, E. T., Ussery, E. N., Watson, K. B., & Carlson, S. A. (2021). Surveillance of physical activity and sedentary behavior among youth and adults in the United States: History and opportunities. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 18(S1), S6–S24. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0179
Pachu, N., Strachan, S., McMillan, D., Ripat, J., & Webber, S. (2022). University students’ knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and barriers related to reducing sedentary behavior: a qualitative study. Journal of American College Health, 70(4), 1146–1153. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1786098
Pascua, K., Lagunero Tagare, R., & Tagare, R. L. (2024). Experiences, Motivation, Commitment, and Suggestions of Physical Education Teachers Amidst COVID-19 Crisis. Egitim ve Bilim, 49(219), 187–200. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2024.12095
Pillay, D., Nel, P., & Van Zyl, E. (2022). Positive affect and resilience: Exploring the role of self-efficacy and self-regulation. A serial mediation model. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 48(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v48i0.1913
Riño, M. J. N., Orfrecio, M. E., Esponja, J. C. P., Landawe, B. K. K. A., Jr., R. L. T., Sumera, E. T., & Java, V. P. (2025). University students’ physical activity pattern: Assessing literacy, engagement, and barriers post physical education course completion. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 12(2), 337–341. https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2025.v12.i2f.3749
Rosenkranz, R. R., Ridley, K., Guagliano, J. M., & Rosenkranz, S. K. (2023). Physical activity capability, opportunity, motivation and behavior in youth settings: theoretical framework to guide physical activity leader interventions. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 16(1), 529–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2021.1904434
Schunk, D. H., & DiBenedetto, M. K. (2021). Self-efficacy and human motivation. In Advances in motivation science (Vol. 8, pp. 153–179). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.adms.2020.10.001
Seeram, E. (2019). An overview of correlational research. Radiologic Technology, 91(2), 176–179.
Shi, M., Zhai, X., Li, S., Shi, Y., & Fan, X. (2021). The relationship between physical activity, mobile phone addiction, and irrational procrastination in Chinese college students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5325. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105325
Stockwell, S., Trott, M., Tully, M., Shin, J., Barnett, Y., Butler, L., McDermott, D., Schuch, F., & Smith, L. (2021). Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a systematic review. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 7(1), e000960. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000960
Tariq, M. U., & Sergio, R. P. (2025). Innovative Assessment Techniques in Physical Education: Exploring Technology-Enhanced and Student-Centered Models for Holistic Student Development. In Global Innovations in Physical Education and Health (pp. 85–112). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3952-7.ch004
Theobald, M. (2021). Self-regulated learning training programs enhance university students’ academic performance, self-regulated learning strategies, and motivation: A meta-analysis. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 66, 101976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2021.101976
Thomas, D., & Zubkov, P. (2020). Quantitative Research Designs.
Vilchez, J. A., Kruse, J., Puffer, M., & Dudovitz, R. N. (2021). Teachers and school health leaders’ perspectives on distance learning physical education during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Journal of School Health, 91(7), 541–549. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13030
Wang, K., Li, Y., Zhang, T., & Luo, J. (2022). The relationship among college students’ physical exercise, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and subjective well-being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11596. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811596
Wang, L. (2021). The role of students’ self-regulated learning, grit, and resilience in second language learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 800488. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.800488
Woottipong, K. (2022). Facilitating learners’ self-regulated learning skills and self-efficacy to write in English using technologies. Acuity: Journal of English Language Pedagogy, Literature and Culture, 7(1), 101–122. https://doi.org/10.35974/acuity.v7i1.2581
Yang, S., Azari Noughabi, M., & Jahedizadeh, S. (2024). Modelling the contribution of English language learners’ academic buoyancy and self-efficacy to L2 grit: evidence from Iran and China. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 45(7), 2701–2717. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2022.2062368
Zheng, Y., & Xiao, A. (2024). A structural equation model of online learning: investigating self-efficacy, informal digital learning, self-regulated learning, and course satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1276266. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1276266
Zuffianò, A., Sette, S., Manfredi, L., Gregori, F., Lopéz-Pérez, B., Polias, S., Marti-Vilar, M., Di Giusto Valle, C., Benito-Ambrona, T., & Pastorelli, C. (2023). The relation between self-esteem and regulatory emotional self-efficacy in daily life: A study among university students. Identity, 23(1), 36–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2022.2108427
