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PEDAGOGY REVIEW
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Original Research
Relationship Between School Sports Culture and Motivation in Sports Performance Among Student-Athletes
Pedagogy Review
Volume 8 | Issue 1 | 2026 | 109 – 119
Hersilyn M. Estrella , LPT, ORCID No. 0009- 0007- 3493- 2112
Master of Arts in Education with specialization in Physical Education and Sports , Adamson University
Article History:
Initial submission: 06 May 2026
First decision: 10 May 2026
Revision received: 08 June 2026
Accepted for publication: 15 June 2026
Online release: 25 June 2026
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Abstract
School sports culture plays a vital role in shaping student-athletes’ motivation, participation, and performance in sports activities. This study examined the relationship between school sports culture and motivation in sports performance among student-athletes at Amaya School of Home Industries, Tanza, Cavite, Philippines, during the School Year 2025–2026. Using a quantitative descriptive-comparative-correlational research design, the study investigated the levels of school sports culture and motivation, differences in motivation across demographic variables, and the relationship between the two constructs. The respondents consisted of 60 junior and senior high school student-athletes selected through total enumeration sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire measuring four dimensions of school sports culture: general sports culture, sports program, beliefs and practices, and attitudes and values. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, and Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that both school sports culture (M = 3.58, SD = 0.29) and motivation in sports performance (M = 3.71, SD = 0.25) were rated very high by the respondents. No significant differences in motivation were found when respondents were grouped according to sex, age, or sports program. Furthermore, a statistically significant moderate positive relationship was found between school sports culture and motivation in sports performance (r = 0.44, p < .001). Among the dimensions of school sports culture, beliefs and practices demonstrated the strongest relationship with motivation. The study concludes that a positive and value-oriented school sports culture contributes to higher levels of motivation among student-athletes. The findings highlight the importance of supportive coaching practices, constructive feedback, and positive team values in fostering student engagement and sports participation. Schools are encouraged to strengthen sports cultures that emphasize personal development, sportsmanship, and meaningful participation to sustain student-athlete motivation.
Keywords: school sports culture, motivation in sports performance, student – athletes, sports participation, coaching practices
Cite this article
APA (7th edition)
Estrella, H. M. (2026). Relationship between school sports culture and motivation in sports performance among student-athletes. Pedagogy Review, 8(1), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.62718/vmca.pr-ijetas.8.1.SC-0526-003.
Author contributions
The author solely conceived and designed the study, conducted the literature review, and developed the research methodology. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation were carried out independently by the author. The author also prepared, wrote, reviewed, and finalized the manuscript. All aspects of the research, including conceptualization, investigation, and validation, were performed solely by the author, who approves the final version of the manuscript and takes full responsibility for its content.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Institutional ethics review statement
This study was conducted in accordance with institutional ethical standards. Approval to conduct the research was obtained from the appropriate school authorities and the Division Research Committee. Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was secured from all student-athletes, including parental consent for minors. Confidentiality and anonymity were strictly maintained, and all data were used solely for academic and research purposes.
Data availability statement
The dataset will be available upon request from the corresponding authors of this study.
Declaration of generative AI use/assistance
AI-assisted language editing was conducted using Grammarly to improve grammar, clarity, and coherence of the manuscript. All content was carefully reviewed, revised, and approved by the researcher, who assumes full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the study.
Acknowledgement
The researcher expresses sincere gratitude to Amaya School of Home Industries for granting permission to conduct the study. Appreciation is also extended to the school administrators, sports coordinators, and coaches for their support in facilitating the research process. Special thanks are given to the student-athletes who participated in the study for their time and cooperation. Their contributions were essential to the successful completion of this research.
Publisher’s disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher disclaims any responsibility for errors or omissions.