“Bruised but engaged”: Exploring the predictive power of the tripartite model of individual interest on study engagement of university students within taekwondo-based physical education

Combative sports such as taekwondo offer structured opportunities for multidimensional development within physical education. However, limited evidence exists regarding the psychological constructs associated with sustained academic engagement in these contexts. This study examined the association between individual interest and study engagement among 253 college students enrolled in a taekwondo-based PE course in the Philippines. Anchored in Roure et al. (2021) tripartite model of individual interest: positive affect and willingness to reengage (PAWR), stored utility value (SUV), and stored attainment value and knowledge-seeking intentions (SAVKSI). Multiple regression analysis yielded a significant model [F(3, 249) = 89.930, p < .001, R² = .520]. SUV (β = .347, p < .001) and SAVKSI (β = .301, p < .001) were significantly associated with study engagement, whereas PAWR (β = .086, p = .199) was not. The findings underscore the salience of cognitive-value dimensions in sustaining engagement within high-intensity physical education environments.