School environment, motivation, and physical activity behaviour of inactive children: A social ecological model approach
Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
- 1 Faculty of Sports and Exercise Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- 2 DEPUTY DEAN (POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, RESEARCH & INNOVATION) Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, Universiti Malaya
- 3 DEPUTY DEAN (UNDERGRADUATE AND STUDENT AFFAIRS) Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, Universiti Malaya
Abstract
This research examined the relationships between the school environment, motivation, and physical activity behaviour among inactive school children. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used, with 347 inactive children aged 9-12 years from the School Education Department of South Punjab, Pakistan. The researcher evaluated a structural model to test the relationships between and mediating effects of the variables. The research demonstrated that the school environment is a strong multi-dimensional construct, and both the physical environment and social environment , both significantly, jointly contributed to the school environment. The findings also demonstrated that the school environment significantly influenced physical activity behaviour and heavily influenced motivation. Unexpectedly, a significant negative relationship between motivation and physical activity behaviour was identified . This suggests in this context, for inactive children, they had higher motivation, but exhibited less physical activity. However, there was a very important mediated effect, which was motivation significantly mediated the relationship between the school environment and physical activity behaviour . The implications of these results are noteworthy. In terms of practice, our study indicates that the interventions used to promote physical activity should be a holistic approach that improves physical and social school environments boosting students' motivation.
Keywords
Subjects
References
Ahmed Alwan, Asadullah Shah, Alwan Abdullah Abdul Rahman Alwan, & Shams Ul Arfeen Laghari. (2024). Evaluating Machine Learning Models for Real-Time IoT Intrusion Detection: A Comparative Study with RTSS Analysis. Journal of ICT, Design, Engineering and Technological Science, 8(2), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.33150/jitdets-8.2.1
Ahmed, Z., & Nihei, T. (2024). Assessing the environmental impacts of adventure tourism in the world’s highest mountains: A comprehensive review for promoting sustainable tourism in high-altitude areas. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 9(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.26500/jarssh-09-2024-0201
Andrews, J. L., Ahmed, S. P., & Blakemore, S.-J. (2021). Navigating the social environment in adolescence: The role of social brain development. Biological psychiatry, 89(2), 109-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.09.012
Amini, A., Abdeh Kolahchi, A., Al-Ansari, N., Moghadam, M. K., & Mohammad, T. (2019). Application of TRMM precipitation data to evaluate drought and its effects on water resources instability. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 9(24), 5377. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245377
Baafi, R. K. A. (2020). School physical environment and student academic performance. Advances in Physical Education, 10(2), 121-137. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2020.102012
Benjar, Z. G. (2023). Evaluated Of playground quality according to comfortability for healthy and disabled children case study: Mellat park, Qazvin, Iran. Journal of Applied and Physical Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.20474/japs-9.1
Bielec, G., & Omelan, A. (2022). Physical activity behaviors and physical work capacity in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(2), 891. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020891
Deng, Y., Li, X., Huang, J., Haegele, J. A., Smith, B., Williams, T. L., & Li, C. (2025). School-based factors influencing physical activity participation in children and adolescents with disabilities: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. Disability and Health Journal, 18(1), 101707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101707
Essabir, M., & Ait Nasser, M. (2024). Development of a conceptual model: The influence of digital transformation on the value chain. Journal of Administrative and Business Studies, 10(3&4), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.20474/jabs-10.3.3
Godspower, A. K. (2024). An appraisal of the effect of recruitment and selection and employment security on employees’ performance intentions of LEADWAY assurance company. Journal of Advances in Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(1): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.20474/jahss-10.1.1
Hair, J. F., Sharma, P. N., Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C. M., & Liengaard, B. D. (2024). The shortcomings of equal weights estimation and the composite equivalence index in PLS-SEM. European Journal of Marketing, 58(13), 30-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejm-04-2023-0307
Henning, L., Dreiskämper, D., & Tietjens, M. (2022). The interplay of actual and perceived physical fitness in children: Effects on motivation and physical activity. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 58, 102055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102055
Imran, M. F. (2024). Criminological Examination of Physical and Psychological Violence Committed Against Children in the School Environment. Riwayat: Educational Journal of History and Humanities, 7(1), 41-47.
Izadi, M., & Hart, R. (2024). The influence of the physical environment on social behavior, school climate, and bullying in schools. Children's Geographies, 22(1), 66-81.
Jam, F. A., Ali, I., Albishri, N., Mammadov, A., & Mohapatra, A. K. (2025). How does the adoption of digital technologies in supply chain management enhance supply chain performance? A mediated and moderated model. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 219, 124225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124225
Kahil, B. (2025). Pathways to success: Exploring the mediating roles of affective learning and intellectual engagement in academic achievement. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(2), 27-38.
Leung, K.-M. (2025). Redevelopment and examination of the psychometric properties of school physical activity environment in Chinese. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 1-10.
Leuzzi, B., Pertusio, A., Garnero, A., Nappo, S. G., & Sciarrone, A. (2025). Complete penoscrotal transposition in the male twin of a dichorionic diamniotic pregnancy from oocyte donation: a case report. Perinatal Journal, 33(1), 46-49.
Liu, Y., Ge, X., Li, H., Zhang, E., Hu, F., Cai, Y., & Xiang, M. (2023). Physical activity maintenance and increase in Chinese children and adolescents: the role of intrinsic motivation and parental support. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1175439. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1175439
Lotfinezhad, M., & Tahmasebpoor, M. (2025). Investigation and comparison of carbon dioxide adsorption and fluidity behavior of activated carbon and titanium oxyhydroxide adsorbents. Environment and Water Engineering, 11(3), 261-272.
Mak, M. H. (2021, October). Children’s motivation to learn at home during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Indian parents. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 6, p. 744686). Frontiers Media SA.
Moon, J., & Lee, D. (2025). The theory and practice of modifying soccer: Maximizing learning outcomes in elementary school physical education. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 25(1), 79-91.
Moschogianni, G. (2025). Pathways to Team Performance and Reduction of Silence Behaviour: Exploring The Role of Benevolent Leadership through Moderating Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility. Journal of Management Practices, Humanities and Social Sciences, 9(2), 93-106. https://doi.org/10.33152/jmphss-9.2.3
Nascimento, M. d. M., Gouveia, É. R., Marques, A., Gouveia, B. R., Marconcin, P., França, C., & Ihle, A. (2022). The role of physical function in the association between physical activity and gait speed in older adults: a mediation analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(19), 12581.
Ndagijimana, J. B., Khan, S., Habimana, O., Musengimana, J., Manirakiza, P., Dushimimana, J. C., & Mushimiyimana, H. (2024). The role of Symbolab calculator usage to enhance pre-service primary teachers’ conceptual understanding in trigonometry through community of inquiry. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences (PJLSS), 22(1).
Özbay, K., Bağlar, İ., Kara, S. S., Keles, E., & Şankılan, F. (2025). Sociodemographic and obstetric risk factors for postpartum depression. Perinatal Journal, 33(1), 50-56.
Rafiq, S., Afzal, A., & Kamran, F. (2022). Impact of school environment on students’ academic achievements at the university level. VFAST Transactions on Education and Social Sciences, 10(4), 19-30.
Riani, L. (2024). Meta-analysis: Predisposing factors and husband’s support on achievement of Visual Inspection of Acetic Acid (VIA). Journal of Advances in Health and Medical Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.20474/jahms-10.2.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2024). Self-determination theory. In Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research (pp. 6229-6235). Springer.
Tago, S. A., Keerio, A., Chandio, S., & Abro, A. H. (2024). Exploring the AI-powered Adoption in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Study Using UTAUT4 Model to Understand User Acceptance and Usage. Journal of ICT, Design, Engineering and Technological Science, 8(2), 6-10.
Sánchez García, C., Reigal, R., Monteiro, D., Hernández Martos, J., Hernández Mendo, A., & Morales Sánchez, V. (2025). The moderation role of self-efficacy on the relationship between transformational leadership and enjoyment in physical educational students. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2025.2524828
Shah, A. S., Maqsood, A., Shah, A., Khani, M. A. K., Anjum, J., & Zafar, S. (2024). ``Enhanced airport operations: Automated baggage drop-off and boarding pass generation for travelers,''. Journal of Advances in Technology and Engineering Research, 10(2), 1-6.
Shakarami, A. H., Divband Hafshejani, L., Tishehzan, P., & Abdolabadi, H. (2025). Estimation of water quality index in Zohreh River using principal component analysis and artificial intelligence models. Environment and Water Engineering, 11(3), 144-152.
Shamsuddin, N., & Raza, S. (2025). Analyzing Peace Narratives: Content Analysis of Pakistan Studies Curricula and Textbooks at Secondary and Higher Secondary Levels. Journal of Management Practices, Humanities and Social Sciences, 9(1), 45-57. https://doi.org/10.33152/jmphss-9.1.4
Terrón-Pérez, M., Molina-García, J., Martínez-Bello, V. E., & Queralt, A. (2021). Relationship between the physical environment and physical activity levels in preschool children: a systematic review. Current Environmental Health Reports, 8(2), 177-195.
Thompson, N., Asare, M., Millan, C., & Umstattd Meyer, M. (2020). Theory of planned behavior and perceived role model as predictors of nutrition and physical activity behaviors among college students in health-related disciplines. Journal of Community Health, 45(5), 965-972.
Yu, H., Yang, L., Tian, J., Austin, L., & Tao, Y. (2022). The mediation role of self-control in the association of self-efficacy and physical activity in college students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(19), 12152. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912152
)