Maria Rosario P. Cubales

Cataning Integrated School

Completed 2026

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the influence of sports activities on students’ emotional resiliency and served as a basis for a proposed action plan for student-athletes. Specifically, it examined how student-athlete experiences contribute to academic learning, the challenges encountered in balancing sports and academics, how sports education enhances emotional resiliency, and the proposed activities that may support student-athletes’ emotional development. A qualitative case study design with an exploratory approach was utilized. Thirty (30) purposively selected student-athletes from Cataning Integrated School, City Schools Division of Balanga, participated in the study. Data were gathered through in-depth responses and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and meanings.

Findings revealed that student-athlete experiences enhanced academic learning by developing discipline, responsibility, time management, and personal growth. However, participants also experienced significant challenges, including time constraints, schedule conflicts, physical fatigue, academic and athletic pressure, and emotional stress. Despite these difficulties, sports participation was found to strengthen emotional resiliency by fostering coping strategies, emotional regulation, perseverance, and a positive mindset when facing failure and pressure. Furthermore, the study identified the need for structured interventions such as resilience training, mindfulness activities, emotional regulation workshops, and peer-support programs to further enhance student-athletes’ emotional well-being.

The study was limited to selected student-athletes from one school, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Nevertheless, it contributes valuable insights into how sports participation shapes emotional resiliency and supports holistic student development. The findings highlight the importance of integrating emotional wellness programs into school sports systems to better support student-athletes.