MOTIVATIONAL LEVELS AND FACTORS INFLUENCING SOPHOMORE UNDERGRADUATES' PHYSICAL EXERCISE ENGAGEMENT DURING ACADEMIC BREAK

This paper examines the motivational levels and factors influencing sophomore undergraduates' physical exercise engagement during academic breaks at the University of the Visayas-Main Campus for the 2024-2025 school year. Using a quantitative correlational research method, data were collected through surveys administered to second-year students across various departments, including Education, Maritime, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Allied Health, and Business Administration. The analysis employed frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and multiple linear regression. The results revealed a predominance of female respondents aged 18-20, with nearly half falling within a healthy body mass index. Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations were found to be highly influenced. Students exhibited high motivation levels, particularly in identified regulation, integrated regulation, social motivation, competence motivation, and health motivation. Overall, students showed a high level of engagement in physical exercise. The study identified a significant relationship between demographic factors, specifically sex and exercise engagement. Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations significantly influenced this engagement. Furthermore, the motivational factors were predictive of exercise engagement levels, with p-values indicating strong significance for identified regulation, integrated regulation, social motivation, competence motivation, and health motivation. This study highlights the complex interplay of predictors affecting exercise engagement and underscores the need for further investigation into additional motivational variables, providing a foundation for future research and interventions aimed at enhancing physical activity among students.