Active learning through active living: the relationship between physical activity and academic motivation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55040/dj3mrj42Keywords:
academic engagement, educational psychology, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, student well-being, youth physical activityAbstract
This study examined the relationship between students’ physical activity engagement and academic motivation to better understand how active living influences learning-oriented behaviors in educational settings. Employing a quantitative research design with a descriptive-correlational approach, the study involved 442 student respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were gathered using two validated instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to measure physical activity engagement and an Academic Motivation Questionnaire to assess students’ motivational orientations. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were utilized, including measures of central tendency to describe the variables and Pearson correlation analysis to examine the relationship between physical activity engagement and academic motivation. The findings indicated that students generally demonstrated moderate to high levels of physical activity engagement and a developing level of academic motivation across both intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions. The results further revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between physical activity engagement and academic motivation, suggesting that physically active students tend to exhibit stronger motivation toward academic pursuits. These findings highlight the interconnected nature of physical and psychological aspects of student development. The study concludes that engagement in physical activity contributes meaningfully to students’ academic motivation, emphasizing the importance of holistic educational perspectives that integrate physical well-being with academic growth. Furthermore, the findings enrich the growing body of literature linking health-related behaviors to educational outcomes and provide valuable insights for educators, institutions, and policymakers seeking to promote balanced student development through active living and active learning.
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