THE ROLE OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN ENHANCING MATHEMATICS LEARNING AMONG TENTH GRADE STUDENTS IN SOHAR

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the role of sports activities in promoting learning of mathematics among tenth-grade students of the public schools in the Sohar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. It also explored whether perceptions of students were different based on gender as well as the time of the sports lesson was held. To achieve the study's objectives, a descriptive analytical method was employed, and a questionnaire was developed consisting of 27 items grouped in three major dimensions namely cognitive skills, psychological aspects, and social skills concerning the study of mathematics. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 1,006 male and female students enrolled in the tenth grade. The results indicated that students perceive a moderately positive role of physical activities in their mathematics learning, as they contribute to developing mathematical reasoning skills, stimulating memory, reducing anxiety, and increasing social interaction during mathematics classes. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found regarding the role of physical activities in enhancing mathematics learning, attributed to gender—in favor of male students—and timing of the physical education class, with better results recorded among those who exercised before mathematics class. Based on these findings, the study recommends systematically integrating physical activities into classrooms to support learners' cognitive, emotional, and social development. It also suggests reevaluating the physical education class schedule to improve its academic benefits.