THE ROLE OF CURIOSITY TO STUDY ENGAGEMENT OF STUDENTS IN GYMNASTICS: EXTRAPOLATING RECIPROCITY

Abstract

The academic literature on the reversible association between curiosity and study engagement in elementary and high school contexts has been extensive and widespread across several countries. Regrettably, research in the field of gymnastics within the setting of higher education in the Philippines remains mostly unexplored and unknown. This study examined the reciprocal association between curiosity and study engagement in the context of gymnastics from a selected higher education institution in the Philippines. A study was conducted with 177 Bachelor of Physical Education students enrolled in Movement Education where gymnastics is part of the said course. The findings of the study revealed a noteworthy correlation between overall curiosity and study engagement in the field of gymnastics, as well as a reciprocal relationship between the two variables. Additionally, a significant and positive correlation was found between the constructs of curiosity and all three components of study engagement (vigor, dedication, and absorption), as well as a reciprocal link. The study concluded that encouraging students’ natural curiosity can help them develop a healthy tolerance for ambiguity. As a result, this may have positive repercussions on students’ academic performance by fostering a lifelong and sustained curiosity in expanding their knowledge and skills in gymnastics. Recommendations for teachers, replicability of the study, and future research endeavors are presented in this study.