ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GADGET USE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

The intensity of gadget use among adolescents has increased alongside the development of digital technology, raising concerns that such habits may influence physical activity. This study examined the relationship between the level of gadget use and physical activity among senior high school students using a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. All eleventh-grade students from a senior high school in Surabaya were included as participants through a total sampling technique, resulting in a sample of 36 respondents. Gadget use was measured using the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV), while physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Data were analyzed descriptively and subsequently tested using Spearman’s correlation at a significance level of 0.05. The analysis yielded a correlation coefficient of r = −0.191 with a p-value of 0.266. These findings indicate a very weak negative relationship that did not reach statistical significance. Therefore, the level of gadget use was not significantly associated with students’ physical activity. This result suggests that physical activity may be influenced more strongly by other factors, such as family support, the school environment, participation in sports activities, and individual motivation. The findings of this study may serve as valuable input for schools and parents in developing strategies to promote healthy lifestyles among adolescents.