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Abstract

This qualitative case study explores physically challenged students’ experiences in PATH-fit courses within Philippine higher education, investigating their challenges and adaptive strategies. Through in-depth interviews with five students and two instructors in Pagadian City, researchers uncovered significant barriers, including exercise difficulties, physical discomfort, and social exclusion that profoundly impacted course participation. Despite facing substantial obstacles, students demonstrated remarkable resilience by developing innovative coping mechanisms such as proactive instructor communication, creative alternative activity engagement, and strategic leveraging of written assignments. Employing Resiliency Theory, the research challenged conventional disability perspectives, emphasizing that students’ true potential lies in psychological flexibility and problem-solving skills rather than physical capabilities. Key recommendations include developing flexible assessment methods, providing personalized learning alternatives, improving institutional infrastructure, and offering financial assistance. The study ultimately reveals that inclusive physical education requires a holistic approach, recognizing diverse capabilities, transforming potential barriers into opportunities for personal growth and educational engagement.

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