ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND PERCEIVED WORKOUT EXPERIENCES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF JK DIVERSION AND LIBONGAO DIVERSION IN KANANGA, LEYTE

This study examines the relationship between environmental cleanliness and perceived workout experiences in two recreational areas, JK Diversion and Libongao Diversion, in the Municipality of Kananga, Leyte, Philippines. It specifically explores how users perceive the cleanliness of these locations, their reported comfort while engaging in physical activities, and whether environmental cleanliness influences their willingness to use recreational spaces. A quantitative comparative research design with a correlational component was employed, involving 100 respondents, with 50 participants from each recreational area. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering three key aspects: perceived environmental cleanliness, comfort during workouts, and the influence of cleanliness on willingness to use recreational areas. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank-order correlation, and the chi-square test of independence were used to analyze the responses. The findings revealed a substantial difference in perceived cleanliness between the two locations. All respondents from JK Diversion agreed that the area was clean, while 98% of respondents from Libongao Diversion disagreed. Despite this difference, positive responses regarding workout comfort were relatively similar between the locations, at 54% and 48%, respectively. Statistical analysis did not establish a significant association between perceived cleanliness and reported workout comfort (Spearman's ρ = 0.011, p = 0.910). Similarly, the difference in workout comfort responses between the two locations was not statistically significant (χ² = 1.158, p = 0.560). Nevertheless, 97% of all respondents agreed or strongly agreed that cleanliness influences their willingness to use recreational areas. This research contributes local evidence to the broader discussion of environmental quality and public recreational spaces. It highlights the importance of cleanliness in shaping people's willingness to use recreational areas while recognizing that perceived comfort may be influenced by other environmental and individual factors. The study is limited to self-reported perceptions and does not directly measure physical performance or establish causal relationships. The findings may serve as a reference for future research, local environmental assessments, and community-level efforts to improve the cleanliness and maintenance of public recreational spaces.