ETHNOGRAPHY STUDY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS (TRI- PEOPLE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR): RELATIONSHIP OF CULTURAL PRACTICES DIFFICULTY AND PHYSICAL FITNESS LEVEL

This study investigated the relationship between cultural practices difficulty and physical fitness levels among Physical Education students from the Tri-People of Zamboanga del Sur, representing Christian, Muslim, and Indigenous groups. Adopting a quantitative research design, the study involved 254 first- and second-year students enrolled in the Physical Activity Towards Health and Fitness (PATHFit) course. Data were collected via survey questionnaires regarding perceived difficulties and standardized fitness tests, followed by analysis through Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, and Chi-square tests. Inferential analysis using the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed significant differences among the ethnocultural groups in body mass index (H = 18.17, p = .000), cardiovascular endurance (H = 17.13, p = .000), and muscular endurance (H = 37.05, p = .000), while no significant difference was observed in muscular strength (p > .05). Post-hoc testing indicated that Indigenous students recorded the highest median BMI and muscular endurance, while Muslim students demonstrated superior cardiovascular recovery efficiency. Furthermore, a Chi-square test of independence established a significant relationship between ethnocultural background and the difficulties experienced in physical activities (chi^2 = 34.096, p = .000), suggesting that perceived hurdles are uniquely associated with cultural identity. The findings indicated that while all groups perceived cultural and physical activities as slightly difficult, their underlying physical profiles remained distinct. The study concluded that Physical Education among the Tri-People is culturally inclusive and effectively supports physical development without marginalizing cultural identity. It recommends that academic programs remain culturally sensitive to better support diverse student needs and promote equitable learning opportunities across all ethnocultural backgrounds effectively.