Physical Endurance and Team Cohesion Among Maritime Students: Enhanced Training Program for PATHFIT 1

This study examined the effectiveness of the PATHFIT 1 Movement Competency Training Program in enhancing physical endurance and team cohesion among first-year maritime students at the University of Cebu–Maritime Education and Training Center during the Academic Year 2025–2026. Recognizing the physical and collaborative demands of maritime professions, the study evaluated whether structured movement competency activities could improve students’ physical preparedness and interpersonal skills. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest research design was employed involving 60 first-year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMARE) programs. Data were collected using validated questionnaires measuring physical endurance and team cohesion through a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics, including weighted mean and standard deviation, were utilized to determine the levels of the variables, while paired-samples t-tests were conducted to examine significant differences between pretest and posttest scores. Results revealed notable improvements in both physical endurance and team cohesion after participation in the training program. Among BSMT students, physical endurance increased from a mean of 3.61 to 3.87, while team cohesion improved from 3.77 to 4.20. Similarly, BSMARE students demonstrated gains in physical endurance from 4.09 to 4.37 and team cohesion from 4.23 to 4.63. Inferential analysis confirmed significant differences between pretest and posttest scores for physical endurance and team cohesion among both groups (p < .05). The findings indicate that PATHFIT 1 Movement Competency Training is an effective intervention for strengthening students’ physical fitness and teamwork competencies. The study underscores the value of integrating competency-based physical education programs in maritime education to support students’ holistic development and occupational readiness.