Engagement and Agility Skills Development in Physical Education Among Freshmen Students: A Contextualized Fitness Training Tool

This study examines the effect of innovative equipment-based training on student engagement and agility skills in Physical Education, involving 80 participants aged 17–22, with the majority being female. Pre- and post-tests were used to measure changes in performance and to collect students' attitudes toward the training. Findings indicated that students generally perceived Physical Education as enjoyable, with a mean perception score of 4.25 ("Strongly Agree"). The most rated area was the facilitating role of instructors, seconded by enthusiasm for working with training equipment and acknowledgment of the practical application of agility training. While the students enjoyed the exercises, confidence in manipulating the equipment turned out to be an area for improvement. Statistical analysis revealed that the intervention made statistically significant differences in terms of both students' engagement and agility development scores. The results indicate that supportive teaching, active equipment-based training activities, and the application of practical skills can significantly enhance PE experiences, as well as the extension of training periods for those requiring longer and more exceptional support with equipment usage.