Religious Values Integration in Physical Education: Impact on Student Character Development

Abstract

Background Problems: Physical education has traditionally been perceived as focusing solely on physical skills, overlooking its potential for comprehensive character development. This research addresses the critical gap in understanding how integrating religious values into physical education can transform student character formation beyond physical training. Research Objectives: The study aims to investigate the impact of religious value integration in physical education on student character development, specifically examining its effects on spiritual, moral, and social dimensions among secondary school students aged 15-17 years. Methods: A quantitative experimental comparative approach was employed, utilizing purposive sampling to select 200 students (100 in experimental and 100 in control groups). The experimental group received physical education with integrated religious values, while the control group followed standard physical education curriculum. Data collection involved character questionnaires, observational sheets, and psychological tests. Statistical analyses included Shapiro-Wilk test, homogeneity test, independent T-Test, and MANOVA to evaluate character development across spiritual, moral, and social domains. Findings/Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between experimental and control groups. The experimental group showed substantially higher mean scores in spiritual (67.50 vs. 12.30), moral (61.80 vs. 15.60), and social (59.40 vs. 18.20) character dimensions, with all differences being statistically significant (p < 0.000). Conclusion: The research demonstrates that integrating religious values into physical education is a powerful strategy for holistic character development. By transforming physical education from a purely skill-based approach to a value-driven pedagogical platform, schools can effectively nurture students' spiritual, moral, and social capabilities. The findings suggest the potential of religious value integration as an innovative approach to character education, with implications for pedagogical practices and future educational research.