The Impact of Covid-19 on Physical Education: Mobility-Restrictive Measures on the Remote Learning Setup

Abstract

The remote learning setup engendered numerous disadvantages to both learner and educator. Mental health, accessibility affected by one’s socioeconomic classification, availability of technological apparatuses, and lack of social integration are some of the reported disadvantages caused by remote learning. The effects are far more notable in subjects that demand physical activities given that several prerequisites must be accessible to the learner for him/her to successfully participate. To specifically assess the impact of this new normal in physical education, a specific course offering in University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Human Kinetics 12: Walking for Fitness, is examined through a quantitative study involving students who were enrolled. Surveys and other statistical tools are utilized to yield accurate data about the impact of mobility-restrictive measures to the perception and performance of the students. The findings of this study revealed what they feel about the quarantines and lockdowns have a negative effect to their perception and performance in HK12: Walking for Fitness. Besides the fact that the policies are meant to restrict mobility and that HK12: Walking for Fitness requires mobility, it must also be considered that the First Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021 is the first semester of the university to observe remote learning. Even though the study did not capture such behavior, it must be noted that the drastic shift to online classes made it difficult to students to cope with the new normal in education.