Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) in Undergraduate Research for Bachelor of Physical Education Programs

Institutional research is vital in assessing whether an institution achieves its goals and mission. Undergraduate research, particularly in Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) programs, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to developing innovative themes in physical education. This study systematically reviews undergraduate theses in physical education, following the PRISMA guidelines, utilizing resources available at institutional and university libraries from 2005 to 2019. The primary objective is to analyze and classify undergraduate theses, identifying prevalent research areas in Physical Education, Dance, Fitness, Sports, and other fields. Additionally, this study aims to recommend potential research topics for future students. Over the 14 years, a total of 402 undergraduate theses were completed, categorized as follows: Physical Education (21), Dance (32), Fitness (38), Sports (75), related fields (229), and Innovation (7). The results indicate a concentration of research efforts in Sports and other related fields, highlighting a lack of specialization in core Physical Education topics. To address these gaps and encourage more diverse research, the following recommendations are proposed: (1) enhance student engagement through physical education clinics to spark interest; (2) promote experiential learning across diverse areas of physical education; and (3) leverage technological advancements to facilitate the development of high-quality research. These strategies aim to enrich the academic experience of BPEd students and strengthen their contributions to physical education.