Mobile gaming and physical activity of the students in the public secondary schools of Balicuatro Area, Northern Samar, Philippines

This study investigated the extent of mobile gaming and its relationship with physical activity among junior and senior high school students in rural public schools in the Balicuatro Area of Northern Samar, Philippines, a region often underrepresented in empirical research.With most existing literature focused on urban or international populations, this study addresses a critical gap by exploring the behaviors and patterns of students in a localized, rural context.Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study aimed to determine the extent of mobile game usage and the level of student engagement in four domains of physical activity: occupational, recreational, fitness, and sports.Findings revealed that students engaged in mobile gaming to a moderate extent, particularly during free time and periods of boredom.Conversely, low engagement was observed during structured activities such as mealtimes and class hours.In terms of physical activity, students demonstrated higher involvement in occupational and recreational activities while showing limited participation in fitness-related routines and organized sports.Correlation analysis indicated that all four physical activity domains were positively and significantly associated with mobile gaming.These results suggest that mobile gaming among rural students is generally non-disruptive and may coexist with various forms of physical activity.The findings underscore the importance of context-specific data in designing culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate interventions and policies within the Philippine educational system, particularly in rural and underserved communities.