Impact of Physical Education as A Form of Recreational Activities: Academic Performance of the Students

Physical Education (PE) is a crucial component of a well-rounded education, supporting students' holistic development for a healthy and active lifestyle. This quantitative correlational study explored the relationships among demographic profiles, perceptions of physical education recreational activities, and academic achievement of Grade VIII students from National High Schools in Eastern Samar. The study used purposive sampling to include 360 respondents from schools in the South Area of Eastern Samar Division. Data from survey questionnaires were consolidated, organized, and presented in tables, then analyzed with statistical tools. Frequency counts, percentages, and rating scales were used to profile the respondents, while the Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to determine the relationships among variables. Data were processed using SPSS software. The study revealed that Grade VIII students exhibited a highly favorable attitude toward physical education recreational activities, emphasizing various activities. However, these activities had minimal impact on academic achievement in unrelated subjects. While participation in physical education did not significantly improve academic performance, it contributed to a healthy lifestyle and positive social relationships. This suggests that students were highly engaged and put forth full effort, indicating that physical activity's psychological and sociological benefits do not negatively affect academic performance in other subjects.