College of Human Kinetics

Theses and dissertations submitted to the College of Human Kinetics

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Incidental Physical Activity (IPA) refers to unstructured, everyday movements contributing to overall physical conditioning. Due to the city's topography, athletes in hilly environments such as Baguio City may experience significant levels of IPA, potentially influencing their training and performance. This study explores the role of IPA in the success of Judo athletes from a Judo club in Baguio, examining how daily physical activities outside structured training contribute to their physical development.

This research employed an ethnographic approach, focusing on five adolescent Judo athletes aged 15-16. Data collection methods include participant observation and informal interviews, specifically utilizing Pakikipagkwentuhan, a conversational research method rooted in Filipino culture, to foster an open and natural discussion with participants.

IPA was found to be a regular part of the daily life of adolescent Judo athletes. Activities such as walking around the city and climbing stairs are perceived by the athletes as physically demanding. While these forms of movement are often overlooked due to their routine, athletes recognize that these daily activities contribute to their success by improving their stamina and strength for training and competition and can influence their mental and emotional state. Future research can be conducted on other sport populations and other cities for comparison. Coaches and trainees can also consider the IPA when they develop training programs, especially in cities with the same environmental conditions. Future research can also investigate how IPA assists in recovery, motivation, and long-term athlete development.


Dehydration, a common issue during games and training, can impair both physiological and cognitive functions. The hot outdoor environment and prolonged high-intensity activity of football demand both physical endurance and effective decision-making for successful skill execution. Specifically, the penalty kick shootout is a defining event that is a decisive factor for a game. In this study, the effects of hydration on kicking accuracy in a penalty kick is investigated. It examines how hypohydrated and euhydrated states influence a player's ability to execute the penalty kick, with particular emphasis on the cognitive and tactical aspects of target shooting performance. Before the experiment, baseline euhydrated weight was collected for 3 consecutive days indicated by a Urine Specific Gravity of < 1.025. After establishing baseline, weights were calculated with baseline weight as EUT , and DET body weight (BW) reduced by 2-3% for water weight loss. In the experiment proper, participants weighed in, submitted first morning urine samples, and recorded blood pressure as preliminary measures. When their hydration state and weights are qualified for the hydration trial, participants went through a general warm up, then proceeded to make 15 penalty kicks following a sequential target order. For statistical significance, data was expressed in mean and standard deviation and was run through a repeated measures t-test with significance level (p < 0.05). Results showed a significant difference (p < 0.001), indicating an impairment of target shooting accuracy in dehydrated states as compared to hydrated states on female football players.


This study looked into a comprehensive study that aimed at exploring the post-collegiate career aspirations among men’s basketball players, focusing on how these student-athletes with heavy athletic commitments dealt with life beyond the sport. Basketball has become extremely popular in the Philippines, especially at the collegiate level. Given that a growing number of athletes choose to become pro before finishing their degrees, the research used a mixed-methods approach. It surveyed six current collegiate men's basketball players from UAAP-participating schools to find out what factors are affecting their career choices. The study looked at three main topics: Athletic Identity, the Impact of Athletic Commitment on Academic Performance, and Psychosocial Factors Influencing Post-collegiate career aspirations. The findings of the study revealed that an athlete's socioeconomic status and parental involvement were the most important factors in shaping their career aspirations. Furthermore, most of the participants who took part strongly identified with their athletic roles, which made them less open to jobs outside of sports. Some participants put sports ahead of their academics, while others understood how important academics was. The study concluded that Athletic Identity, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Psychosocial factors— especially socioeconomic status and parental involvement—were the most influential in shaping post-collegiate career aspirations. While many participants aspired to stay in basketball, some participants already considered alternative careers, showing awareness of the uncertainties of a sports career and the importance of preparing for life beyond basketball. These findings point out the need for greater support systems to help student-athletes balance athletic and academic pursuits to be able to develop broader career pathways.


This study explored how Taekwondo became a meaningful leisure activity for Filipino children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research focused on three key objectives: how Taekwondo training changed during the lockdowns, which practices helped maintain engagement, and how participation affected children’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Using a qualitative narrative-case study, the researcher gathered insights from 11 participants—three students aged 11 to 17 years old, their four parents, and four Taekwondo coaches—from dojangs in Quezon City. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic and content analysis techniques. The first set of findings revealed that Taekwondo training moved from physical gyms to virtual platforms, forcing children, parents, and coaches to adjust their routines. Students trained in small spaces at home, often using Zoom or Google Meet. The shift reduced face-to-face interaction but helped preserve a sense of activity and structure. Parents reported improvements in their children’s behavior and focus despite internet and space limitations. Coaches redesigned routines to suit home environments, focusing more on health and motivation than performance. The study identified the themes of Transformation, Adaptability, and Effect to explain these changes. Under the second objective, the study found that Taekwondo supported children's well-being across three areas. Physically, students stayed active when other activities were unavailable. Mentally, training gave them something to look forward to, helping them manage anxiety and boredom. Socially, the students stayed connected with peers and instructors through group chats and online class interactions. Parents and coaches noticed increased confidence, self-control, and discipline. These patterns were reflected in the themes of Physical Impact, Psychological Impact, and Social Impact. The third objective focused on what continued after the pandemic. Students described Taekwondo as a routine they no longer wanted to give up. Parents supported ongoing participation, citing visible improvements in their children’s health and mindset. Coaches kept some of the wellness-based training introduced during lockdown and expressed interest in maintaining flexible, student-centered instruction. The themes of Continuity, Teaching Practices, and Evolution highlighted how Taekwondo expanded from a competitive sport into a meaningful part of children’s daily lives. The findings showed that Taekwondo helped children stay physically active, emotionally steady, and socially connected during a time of disruption. It became a habit and a personal choice, not just an external requirement. The study recognized its limitations due to the small sample and location but emphasized that Taekwondo offered a reliable, self-directed activity during an unpredictable period. Future studies should examine similar leisure activities in other regions and formats to understand how movement-based programs support children’s health and daily life.


This study examined the impact of introducing the 4-point shot in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the first major 5v5 basketball league to adopt this rule. By comparing game statistics from the 48th Season (pre-implementation) and 49th PBA Season (post-implementation), the research evaluated changes in points per game, field goal attempts per game, field goal percentage, 2-point field goal attempts per game, 2-point field goal percentage , 3-point field goal attempts per game, 3-point field goal percentage, points in the paint, and points in the perimeter. The study employed a descriptive-comparative design, using paired t-tests and Cohen’s D to assess statistical significance and effect size. Results show that while there were minor increases in points per game, field goal attempts per game, field goal percentage, 2-point field goal attempts per game, 2-point field goal percentage , 3-point field goal attempts per game, 3-point field goal percentage, points in the paint, and points in the perimeter, only the reduction in 3-point shot attempts was statistically significant—suggesting a reallocation some of the long 3-point shots prior to the implementation to 4-point attempts after the implementation and teams being encourage to take shots from the 4-point line than taking those previous long 3-point shots for an extra point, with little difference in difficulty. Despite limited attempts and low accuracy of the 4-point shot, it has begun influencing offensive strategy and spacing on the court. The findings offer critical insights for coaches, league officials, and sports analysts, and serve as an early evaluation of a landmark rule change in professional basketball.