Chapter 1

The Problem and its Background

Introduction

Sports are recreational activities that are essential in the formation of one's

body and mind. It is a way to determine someone's skill or ability which can be

developed through engaging into exercise or any physical activity such as sports. These

appear to have long been existent as early as 2000 BC. Even up to now, it remains to be

popular and widely performed in maintaining a healthy everyday routine and a

physically fit mind and body. Participation in sports is a great way of staying active and

offers wonderful rewards for mental health.

Having a healthy lifestyle is necessary to obtain a long and active life. An

example of having a healthy lifestyle is engaging into sports. There are a lot of benefits

to being inclined and involved in sports. One will be physically and mentally fit which

would result to less acquisition of diseases and ailments. Sports help children develop

physical skills, get exercise, make friends, have fun, learn to play fair, and improve self-

esteem. Being involved in sports has been proven to help children learn valuable skills

in dealing with life's ups and downs. Sports also help students become more

independent and feel better about themselves. The result is a positive self-esteem and

self-confidence, which are extremely important for determining later happiness and

success. Another benefit is learning to value sportsmanship, competitiveness and

camaraderie in being able to engage in sports. Most important of all is that a person can

be able to avoid and lessen habits and vices which are bad for health. Sports can help a

person change his lifestyle for the better and would make his life be in absolute

satisfaction.

The researchers had chosen this topic simply because as senior students of

PUPLHS, it would help them know why some students are shifting from their usual

recreational activities to others like in doing netsurfing and computer games. These

activities do not help them in physical activities where their endurance and vitality

would increase as in doing sports. They also fail to realize that sports can also help them

to do exercise regularly and be conscious of their health and their lifestyle. In addition,

it would also help the students to choose the sports electives they want which is

required in some colleges.

This research's purpose is to determine the different local sports which also

happen to be ideal sports for freshman and senior PUPLHS students. It also aims to

show how the students have chosen their preferred sports and who influenced them to

be involved them. This paper also shows the factors why the students favor these local

sports as well as the frequency with which the students participate in local sports and

their ways of showing their interest in their favorite sports.

Statement of the Problem

This paper aims to find out the different local sports preferences of freshman and

Senior PUPLHS students in the SY 2011-2012. Specifically, it seeks to answer the

following:

1. What are the favorite sports of freshman and Senior PUPLHS students?

2. Why do they prefer these kinds of sports?

3. What does the student’s frequency in taking part in these local sports

reveal about their interest in them?

Scope and Limitations

This research focuses on the identification of the different local sports

preferences of the freshman and Senior students of the PUPLHS in the School Year

2011-2012. Other than that, its objective is also to find out the reasons as to why these

students consider these sports as their favored one. It will also determine the level of

interest and enthusiasm that the students are experiencing with while doing their

preferred local sport. This study is limited only to the Senior and freshman students of

PUPLHS with limitation to the other students of the university as well as the students

from other schools.

Definition of Terms

For a clearer understanding of this research, the following terms are

defined according to their usage in this study:

Sport- all forms of physical activity which improves physical fitness and

provides entertainment to participants and that is governed by a set of rules often

engaged in competitively.

Sportsmanship- conduct and attitude considered in the participation of sports,

especially fair play, courtesy, and grace in losing.

Physical fitness- the ability to carry out daily tasks with alertness and vigor, without

undue fatigue, and with enough energy reserve to enjoy leisure time.

Exercise- activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed

to develop or maintain fitness

Lifestyle- individual pattern of living as reflected by interests, opinions, spending

habits, and activities.

Recreation- a way of refreshing mind or body after work or worry. Refreshment of

one's mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates

Self-esteem – pride in oneself; self-respect. A sense of one's own dignity or worth.