Afterschool Sports Participation and Psychological Needs Fulfillment in Physical Education among Filipino High School Students

Abstract

Physical education (PE) has long been promoted as an important context to teach lifelong physical activity and other health-related behaviors among young people. However, some students may not be motivated to participate in physical education because of perceived lack of physical competence or sports experience. Research has shown that students who participate in afterschool sports are generally more motivated in PE compared with their nonsports participant peers. Knowledge on how afterschool sports participation is associated with motivation specifically psychological needs fulfillment in PE among Filipino students is limited. Hence, this study compared levels of basic needs fulfillment, perceived autonomy support, and subjective vitality in PE among students with different afterschool sports experiences. A total of 408 students (age: M = 13.97; SD = 1.38) studying in two public high schools in Metro Manila participated in this study. Results indicated that afterschool sports participation is associated with students’ needs fulfillment, autonomy support, and subjective well-being in PE. Findings suggest that special attention should be given to students who do not participate in afterschool sports and ensure that they have positive experiences in physical education. Recommendations for practice based on selfdetermination framework are discussed.