An action Research

1. LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
Ozamis City
School of Graduate Studies
In Partial Fulfillment of the Course in
Psychology of Learning
Impact of Athletics to Students’
Study Habits: An Action Research
Submitted to:
MARIA NANCY Q. CADOSALES, PhD
Professor
Submitted by:
NANCY D. COSTINA
Student

2. IMPACT OF ATHLETICS TO STUDENTS’ STUDY HABITS:
An Action Research
INTRODUCTION
The effect of athletics to students’ academic performance has long been
debated. This is especially so that budget constraints are becoming a serious concern
among the different agencies of the government. Decision makers often find it easy to
cut athletic programs because, they believe that it is not overly important in the
academic arena ( Schley, 2002). In the same way, a lot of people capitalized on the
negative effect of athletics in the students’ study habits thereby affecting their
performance in class. High occurrence of academic struggle shows that many athletes
are concentrating on athletics rather than their education. Athletes have a much busier
routine than a non-athlete, which increases the stress and work load for the student.
Pressure placed on athletes to win may have a detrimental effect on the student’s
commitment to be successful in the classroom (Lance, 2004).
On the other hand, studies have also proven the need for the students to be
engaged into various extracurricular activities such as athletics. Sullivan (2011) in her
article entitled ‘ The Impact of Sports on Middle School Students ‘, reiterated that
participation in sports requires students to work as a team and be persistent in order to
succeed. It also gives students access to positive role models such as coaches and
older players who can set a positive example. Students tend to be sensitive to criticism,
self-conscious, loyal to peers and more motivated by social factors than by academic
concerns, as a result, they benefit from sports programs that foster team work and skill-
building. This claim is even made stronger in Altobelli’s (2011) study which says that

3. children and adolescents who pursue sports activities have been shown to exhibit more
active brain function, better concentration levels and classroom behavior and higher
self-esteem than their less-active counterparts. Both of which, supports that students’
participation to athletics supports better study habits leading to a better academic
performance.
Such then is the focus of this study as students in a particular year level bare
their answers to some questions that seek to identify the impact of athletics to their
study habits. It is perceived that students’ study habits are necessary factors in their
performance in the academic field thus there is indeed a need for us to analyze such
matter as it helps in the realization of the school’s vision of producing individuals who
could be an active asset of the community and the country through the skills, knowledge
and attitudes that they gain from the school.
The Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) of the Philippines provides for the
development of competencies starting from Basic Education up to the second level of
which is renounced as High School. This will focus more on developing knowledge,
skills, habits and attitudes through the guidance of the teacher assigned. As such, each
school follows some guidelines on what they offer to the students as a way of preparing
the students to become the country’s strength for the future (Black, 2012).
As a means of preparing the students to be more active in nation building, they
are being exposed to various extracurricular activities that would enhance their skills
and potentials.
Kanhere (2011), in her article entitled, ‘The Importance of Extra Curricular
Activities in School’, once said, “A student's school days are some of the best days of

4. his life. These days can never be complete without a little bit of sporty excitement, a bit
of adventure and the crazy strokes of a painting class. Some of the best talents around
the world, attribute their extracurricular activities as the roots of their academic and
career success.
Merryjazz (2007) also added that the capacity of a person can be gauged on his
or her community or social involvement. Students with good grades and fair community
involvement are most likely more responsible and committed. You also leave an
impression that you can manage things and a good decision maker if you have those
involvements to extracurricular activities such as athletics that is defined as the system
of training and practice for activities, such as sports, exercises, and games, that require
physical skill and stamina (Freedictionary).
It is then important to give credit to athletics as a better way of strengthening the
skills of the students, both athlete and non athlete. It is strongly believed that athletics
is a vital part of a students’ life. Physical Education is needed for a balanced school
week. It not only keeps the students healthy but also gives them a fun break of other
schoolwork. For some academically challenged students it gives them a chance to
excel. In general, it builds team spirit ( Fay, 2008) and such may have a great impact on
their study habits.
Study habits are approaches applied to learning. They are generally critical to
success in school, considered essential for acquiring good grades, and useful for
learning throughout one's life. As such, it is important for each student to have such as
it promotes better learning and promises higher achievement on the part of the student.
Essentially having well developed study skills will help a student become a more

5. confident, effective, productive and intelligent person in both his personal and
professional life ( Thiba, 2013).
Also, it was stressed in the study entitled, Factors That Affects the Study Habits
of BSHRM’ that study habit is vital to every student’s life. It plays an essential role
not only in the academic field, but also in every areas that require understanding and
learning. Observance of a good study habit will ensure that success in every academic
endeavor is achieved. A good study habit is founded on the very idea that the person
engaged is focused on what he is studying. It also entails that the environment is
peaceful and free from any disturbances. Most importantly, it requires focus. Focus
would mean that the student’s mind is free from any worries and problems such that his
or her concentration is centered on the study materials ( Abcdefghijkl, 2013 ).
HYPOTHESIS
In trying to focus on the impact of athletics to the students’ study habits, a major
hypothesis was raised.
It was hypothesized that Athletics has no significant impact to the students’ study
habits which eventually affects their academic achievement.

6. FRAMEWORK
The following Figure presents the Framework of this study.
Athletics being the independent variable in this study is capable of causing both
positive or negative impact to the study habits of students. This is true to all students,
may they be athletic or not.
In Fianza Memorial National High School, athletics seems to be the most favorite
extracurricular activity that the students engage themselves with. In fact, through
athletics, the school has earned the reputation of having the best athletes in the Division
of Benguet. As per records, the school was able to send ten (10) of its athletes to the
Palarong Pambansa , which inspired and continuously inspire many of its students at
present. Moreover, a lot of poor but deserving graduates of such school sent
themselves through college through their athletic proficiency. These are the reason why
the school is continuously on the verge of training the students to be more engaged in
various athletic activities as it do its role in line with the objective of Department of
Education which is solely focused on the development of the students.
Students in this school are categorized into two, athletes and non athletes.
Issues of concern were raised because of various observations made by teachers as far
as study habits of students are concerned. There are some data showing that there are
a lot of students drop from school just after the athletic intramurals, or if not, frequent
absenteeism has been recorded. Some students lost interest in reading their notes but
Athletics
Study
Habits of
Students

7. when it comes to playing various games, they are very good and active. At the same
time, poor reading hobbies among them have also been observed. Because of this,
question on whether athletics is really influential to the students’ study habits has
remained to be answered. ‘Does participation to athletics motivate students to study
more? or Does it destruct their study habits ?’ What is really the impact of athletics to
students’ study habits?
OBJECTIVES/STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study aims at determining the Impact of Athletics to students’ study habits
among the Fourth Year students in Fianza Memorial National High School.
Specifically, this study was designed to answer the following questions:
1. What is the athletic identity of the students?
2. How committed are the students to athletics?
3. What are the impact of students’ athletic involvement to their
study habits?
METHODOLOGY
This section describes the research design, respondents, questionnaire and
statistical tools that were used in the conduct of the study.
Research Design
This study follows the Descriptive Design as it presents the students’ athletic
identity, athletic commitment and the impact of athletics to their study habits through a
questionnaire. Other methods of data gathering were also considered by the
researcher and these include the following: participant observation and informal
interviews as the researcher is a member of the teaching staff of the school.

8. Respondents/ Research Locale
The respondents of this action research are the 56 Fourth Year Students of
Fianza Memorial National High School for the current School Year.
Fianza Memorial National High School is one of the two secondary schools in
Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. The school is located 25 kilometers away from
Baguio City and 35 kilometers away from the Benguet Provincial Capitol.
The school is dominated by Ibaloi students, although there are some students
who come from neighboring provinces like Ilokano and Tagalog. Students from this
school are exposed to a lot of extracurricular activities, the most common of which is
athletics.
Questionnaire
The researcher made used of a questionnaire which is a modification of Chen,
Snyder and Magner’s (2010) Top Three Scoring Items in their published study which is
entitled “The Effects of Sport Participation on Student-Athletes’ and Non-Athlete
Students’ Social Life and Identity “. Some changes were done in order to suit the items
that this study needs to answer.
To ensure the content validity of the test, the following were being considered by
the researcher; First, the first draft of the questionnaire was shown to the Adviser for
corrections and possible suggestions that were incorporated. Second, a copy of the
same questionnaire was presented to the school principal of the school for studies and
third, copies of the questionnaire were given to one MAPEH Teacher and one English
teacher for more possible corrections and suggestions.

9. The Questionnaire has three parts namely Athletic Identity which aimed at
identifying on whether or not, the respondent is athletic, Athletic Commitment and Effect
of Athletic Involvement.
Statistical Tools
The data collected were statistically treated using the weighted mean and
percentage distribution. Microsoft Excel was the software used in the data study and
analysis.
A certain Scoring Procedure was used in order for the researcher to easily arrive
at the mean and Percentage Distribution. The Numeral Equivalent of the Responses is
as follows:
Response Numerical Equivalent
YES 1
NO 0
The data collected were being tallied, following the analysis done by the
researcher.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This part shows the presentation, analysis and interpretation of the data
gathered. They are arranged in accordance to how the problems in the study were
presented.

10. Athletic Identity of The Students
Athletic Identity was measured through the students’ own reflection of
themselves as athlete or not. The indicators included were their goals and the kind of
friends that they have. Athletic identity is commonly defined as the degree to which a
person identities with the role of an athlete ( Symes, 2010).
The following shows the students’ response on their athletic identity.
Table 1
Athletic Identity
Indicators YES SCORE NO SCORE Percentage
I consider myself an
athlete
45 45 11 0 80.37%
I have many goals
that relate to
athletics.
38 38 18 0 67.85%
Most of my friends
are athletes.
48 48 8 0 85.71%
The table shows that most of the Fourth Year students of Fianza Memorial
National High School consider themselves as athletes. This identity is usually
associated with their goals in coming to school. At young age, students are already
prepared with goals that they wanted to achieve during their stay in high school. These
goals maybe considered so simple, compared to college students’ goals as their focus
is mainly on short time goals and usually associated with the activities they do in school,
one of which is athletics.

11. It is also likely that, since most of them consider themselves as athletes, they
tend to associate with people with the same interest with them which is athletics. Such
could even make their friendship stronger. It is also important to note that since most of
the students in this class are athletes, the sense of unity among them is very evident
and is even carried even in outside the school activities.
Sports Commitment
Sports Commitment can be described as an athlete’s desire to resolve or
maintain physical activity and sport participation ( Saybani, et. al.,2013).
Table 2
Sports Commitment
Indicators YES SCORE NO SCORE Percentage
I have put a lot of
time into playing
sports.
46 46 10 0 82.14%
I feel proud to other
people that I am an
athlete.
46 46 10 0 82.14%
I would miss the
good things of
playing if I stop
playing..
44 44 12 0 78.57%
Table reveals that the Sports Commitment of Students are quite high as a
support to their athletic identity.
The high percentage of Sports Commitment among the respondents will explain
the reason why these students are mostly seen in the school playing area during recess

12. and lunch time. This just shows how dedicated they are in athletics because they don’t
even mind the striking heat of the sun. Since they wanted to feel the belongingness to
their group, they are forced to be with them in all sporting activities that they do during
break time.
Effect of Athletic Involvement
Critics noted that sports activities consume the students ' energy and time
disrupting their study habits and sacrificing their academics. On the other hand,
supporters of athletic activities defend that involvement in sports promotes not only the
physical aspect but also the over-all personalities and academic achievement of the
students . This argument shows that athletics participation in school weighs more on its
positive than its negative effects as far as the students ' academic performance is
concerned ( Michaud and Benmuyal, 2008 ).
For Fianza Memorial National High School Fourth Year students, the effect of
athletic involvement to their study habits is revealed below. The table below shows the
responses of the students.

13. Table 3
Effect of Athletic Involvement
a. Positive Effect to Study habits
Indicators YES SCORE NO SCORE Percentage
My involvement in athletics
has improved my relationship
with others.
45 45 11 0 82.14%
My involvement in athletics
has helped my opportunities to
meet other friends.
45 45 11 0 82.14%
My involvement in athletics
has developed my confidence.
44 44 12 0 78.57%
My involvement in athletics
inspires me to go to school.
47 47 9 0 83.92%
My participation in sports
inspires me to excel in class.
34 34 22 0 60.71
I manage my time well
between sports and studying
my lessons.
26 26 30 0 46.42
This table describes the positive effect of athletics to Students’ habits. It is
evident that there is a high result in students’ positive perception of athletics as far as
their study habits is concerned. This may be explained by the fact that most of the
respondents are active athletes.

14. b. Negative Effect to Study habits
Indicators YES SCORE NO SCORE Percentage
My involvement in athletics has
disturbed my reading habits.
26 26 36 0 46.42%
My involvement in athletics has
caused me to lost interest in
studying.
11 11 45 0 19.64%
I would rather spend my time in
sports than in reading.
34 34 22 0 60.71%
I lost my interest in attending my
class after the athletic intramurals.
14 14 42 0 25%
I am more motivated in athletics
than in academics.
32 32 24 0 57.14%
I would rather go to the playing
area than to the library.
36 36 20 0 64.28%
Table 3b indicates the respondents’ view on the negative impact of athletics to their
study habits. It shows that only few students consider athletics as something negative
in relation to their study habits. However, considering the percentage of students who
answered Yes on athletics as a disturbance to their reading habits and cause of lost of
interest in studying and class attendance, careful reflection must be rendered. The low
percentage under these indicators is supposedly considered good but is still alarming.

15. c. No effect at all
Indicators YES SCORE NO SCORE Percentage
Athletics does not affect my
study habits at all. 10 10 46 0 17.87%
Table 3c shows the response of some students who does not see any effect of
athletics to their study habits. These students may include both athletes and non
athletes. It may mean both negative and positive on the part of the respondent. There
were only ten who answered affirmatively out of the 56 respondents,
For the Fourth year students, it is very important that they have a clear definition
of study habits. Study habits are routines, including, but not restricted to, frequency of
studying sessions, review of material, self-testing, rehearsal of learned material, and
studying in a conducive environment (Eguia, Ramos and Remolador, 2013). As such,
study habits then include attitudes and acquaintances of students as they are
contributory to the students’ routines. The high percentage that the respondents gave
to the First two indicators that deal with relationship with other students shows that
athletic involvement help them to be with others who are also athletic in nature thus they
spend most of their time with the same group of people almost every day of their life in
school. No wonder, since most of the students of this class are athletes, they almost go
as one group thus a strong sense of attachment is seen in them.
In classroom setting, it must also be noted that high level of active participation
is observed among the students especially in group activities. This can be credited to
the fact shown by their responses on the four indicators under the positive effect of

16. athletics. Their confidence in athletics is being carried in the classroom as they are
inspired to excel with their classmates. This is the reason why, in most of the subject
areas, this batch is described as ‘active class’ as most of them are almost willing to
participate in all classroom activities.
Poor response, however, was noted when students were asked if they are able
to manage their time well between their study habits and athletics. This 46.2 %
supports the respondent’s responses to the indicators under the negative effects of
athletics. Such must create a ringing bell among teachers and administrators of the
school.
Only few from the respondents have admitted that their reading habits are
disrupted by athletics but the fact that 46.42% of the respondents answered yes to this
indicator needs a careful consideration as it is shown that nearing half of the population
admitted that athletics takes most of their time.
On the other hand, it is so surprising to see that only 19.64% and 25% of the
students responded yes in losing interest in studying and class attendance due to
athletics. This is something that may awake some teachers who would always
complain saying that athletics destruct the students a lot. This shows that it is not
athletics itself that disturbs the students but there must be a more serious factor behind
their observation and that they must not always put the blame to athletics as the most
common factor of student drop outs and absenteeism.
Careful attention on the negative effects of athletics should also be given enough
attention specifically on that part which shows that 57 % of the students are becoming
more active in athletics than in academics. Moreover, the high response of 64.28% in

17. choosing to spend their free time in the playing area than in the library must also be
reviewed. Why do students show more dynamic behavior in athletics than in
academics? Here, it is becoming more evident that students may want more lively
activities in their stay in school and such they get through athletics. This then dictates
the need for teachers to revolutionize their teaching styles in such a way that they
provide various activities for the students not to be bored inside the classroom.
Students want to associate learning with fun and such is shown by the respondents
response under this indicator.
Moreover, it is also important to consider the 17.87% of the class who responded
that athletics does not affect their study habits at all. Most of those who responded yes
here are those who considered themselves to be non athletes. This proves that in the
class, there are some students who are not at all interested to athletics and such
students must also be thought about in lesson preparation. The rest of the respondents
who answered yes in this area who may be athlete or non athlete may have differences
on how they regard athletics as a factor to their study habits.

18. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The summary, conclusion and recommendation of this study are presented in
this part.
Summary
Significant facts from the study conducted are summarized as follows:
1. Not all students from the Fourth year class of the School Year 2013-2014 consider
themselves as athletes but it must be noted that around eighty percent of them consider
themselves as athletes.
2. Athletic Identity is always associated with the students’ goal and circle of friends. It
follows that these are important factors associated with their study habits.
3. Sports commitment among the respondents is high which shows that most of their
interest is athletic related.
4. Athletic Involvement among the respondents promotes their study habits. In some
ways, it may have some adverse effects but are minimal compared to the positive
response of the students.
Conclusion
Basing from the underlying findings of this study, the following may be
concluded:
1. Awareness of the students’ athletic identity is important. It shows that their identity
defines the kind of goal that they have in their studies that includes their preferences.
Their goals and preferences are then associated with their study habits therefore a
direct relationship between the students’ identity and study habits must be highly noted.

19. 2. Students’ commitment to athletics measures how they value activities related to
athletics and so teachers must also use this to find ways by which athletics may be
used in order to increase the students’ absorption of the inputs they give during the
lesson.
3. It is wrong to always put the blame to athletics whenever students fail in their
subjects. Usually, we hear teachers complain about students’ use of their free time in
the playing area than in the library but such thing must be carefully examined. Students
have their own reasons in behaving the way they do. Such must move the teachers to
check on all aspects of such problem.
4. It is evident that students enjoy athletics as a part of the curriculum. Because of this,
both teachers and students should come up to an agreement by which both athletics
and their study habits are given equal attention.
5. Athletics can inspire students to study more.
Recommendations
1. Athletic identity of students must be considered in lesson preparation by the teachers.
Both athletes and non athletes should be given importance in the preparation of
classroom activities. There is a need to check on the interest of both athletes and non
athletes as this will ensure the success of the teaching-learning process.
2. Teachers, in their desire to transfer learning effectively, insist to make the students do
what they wanted to do which is not helpful at all. Since most of the students are into
athletics, they should be allowed to explore every opportunity they can gain from this
field as they will surely realize the use of these in their study habits. It’s just a matter of

20. waiting for the right time for all of us to see the difference. Students may not show the
effect this time but surely, they might prove themselves as they move to higher studies.
3.The problem on students’ giving too much preference to athletics than their study
habits must be taken positively by teachers as an opportunity to be of help to them.
4. Since it was found out in this study that athletics’ impact to students study habits is
more on the positive side, such must then be used as way to enrich the curriculum so
that athletics will no longer be considered a threat to students’ study habits but a good
way to strengthen the agency’s goal of producing highly skilled graduates for the
country.
5. Athletics must be taken as a good chance to motivate students to further improve
their study habits.
6. Other researchers can focus on ways to balance athletics and study habits among
students in the pursuit of excellence in all school activities and quality education as a
whole.

21. LIST OF LITERATURE
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negative-effect-on-academics
Sullivan,E (2011).The Impact of Sports on Middle School Students. Retrieved on
August 29, 2013 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/535600-the-
impact-of-sports-on-middle-school-students/
Altobelli, Laura (September 2011). Does Participation in Sports Negatively Affect
Academics.Retrieved on August 29, 2013 from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/540517
J. T. B. Oluwatimilehin,Owoyele (2012). Study Habits And Academic
Achievement In Core Subjects Retrieved on September 2, 2013 from
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Kanhere, AM (2011) Importance of Extra Curricular Activities in School.
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Josh Fay (2008). http://www.studymode.com/essays/Sport-Necessary-Part-
School-Curriculum-168936.html
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/athletics

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