Teachers’ Pedagogical Practices in Physical Education and Their Influence on Students’ Motivation and Participation in Physical Activity

Abstract

This study examined teachers’ pedagogical practices in Physical Education (PE) and their influence on students’ motivation and participation in physical activity. Recognizing Physical Education as a vital context for promoting active lifestyles and positive attitudes toward physical activity, the study sought to determine how instructional strategies, classroom management, learner engagement techniques, and assessment practices shape students’ motivational levels and participation behaviors. A quantitative descriptive–correlational research design was employed. Participants included selected Physical Education teachers and students who were actively involved in PE classes and were chosen through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using validated survey questionnaires that measured teachers’ pedagogical practices, students’ motivation, and students’ participation in physical activity. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the levels of pedagogical practices, motivation, and participation, while Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient was utilized to determine the relationships among the variables at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that teachers demonstrated very high levels of effective pedagogical practices, particularly in instructional strategies and learner engagement techniques. Students likewise exhibited high motivation and very high participation in PE classes. Results further showed significant positive relationships between teachers’ pedagogical practices and students’ motivation, as well as between pedagogical practices and students’ participation in physical activity. These findings indicate that supportive, learner-centered, and engaging pedagogical practices contribute significantly to motivating students and encouraging active participation. The study concludes that teachers play a critical role in fostering meaningful Physical Education experiences and recommends sustained professional development and curriculum support to strengthen pedagogical practices that promote motivation and active participation in physical activity.

Keywords
Physical Education, pedagogical practices, student motivation, participation in physical activity, learner-centered instruction