ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
The rapid expansion of online learning in higher education, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised concerns regarding its effectiveness for practice-oriented disciplines such as sport science. This study aimed to compare online learning satisfaction among sport science students enrolled in Malaysian Public Higher Education Institutions (IPTA) and Private Higher Education Institutions (IPTS), and to identify factors influencing satisfaction across institutional sectors. A quantitative, descriptive–comparative design was employed involving 184 undergraduate sport science students (IPTA = 88; IPTS = 96). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measuring students’ readiness, implementation of online learning, and overall satisfaction. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Findings indicated that students from both IPTA and IPTS reported moderate levels of readiness, implementation quality, and online learning satisfaction. No statistically significant differences were found between public and private institutions across all domains (p > .05), with only small effect sizes observed. Regression analysis revealed that implementation of online learning and students’ readiness were significant positive predictors of satisfaction, whereas institution type and demographic variables were not significant contributors. These results suggest that online learning satisfaction among sport science students is shaped more by pedagogical quality and student preparedness than by institutional sector. Given the practical nature of sport science education, the findings highlight the need to enhance online teaching strategies, technological support, and student readiness to improve learning experiences across both public and private universities. The study provides evidence-based insights to inform more effective and equitable online and blended learning practices in sport science education.
Anouti, M., & Rouadi, N. (2020). The Online learning Experiment in the Intermediate and Secondary Schools in Lebanon during the Coronavirus(COVID-19) Crisis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, 7, 14466-14485.
Bali, S., & Liu, M. C. (2018). Students’ perceptions toward online learning and face-to-face learning courses. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1108(1), 012094. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1108/1/012094
Isaac, O., Aldholay, A., Abdullah, Z., & Ramayah, T. (2019). Online learning usage within Yemeni higher education: The role of compatibility and task-technology fit as mediating variables in the IS success model. Computers & Education, 136, 113-129. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.02.012
Iuliano, E., Mazzilli, M., Zambelli, S., Macaluso, F., Raviolo, P., & Picerno, P. (2021). Satisfaction Levels of Sport Sciences University Students in Online Workshops for Substituting Practice-Oriented Activities during the COVID-19 Lockdown. Education Sciences, 11(10), 600. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/11/10/600
Johnson, H. P., Mejia, M. C., & Cook, K. (2015). Successful online courses in California's community colleges. Public Policy Institute California.
Killian, C. M., & Woods, A. M. (2022). Physical education students’ usage and perceptions of a supplemental online health-related fitness knowledge curriculum (iPE). European Physical Education Review, 28(3), 633-650.
Mahmood, W. N., Dangi, M. R. M., & Ali, K. A. M. (2014). Investigating students’ satisfaction level on implicit services of Malaysian public higher education institutions. Gading Journal for the Social Sciences (e-ISSN 2600-7568), 18(01), 41-59.
Mahmood, W. N., Mat Dangi, M. R., & Mohd Ali, K. A. (2014a). Exploring students’ contentment level of the infrastructure at a public higher education institution in Malaysia. Gading Journal for the Social Sciences, 18(01), 61-82.
Mahmood, W. N., Mat Dangi, M. R., & Mohd Ali, K. A. (2014b). Investigating students’ satisfaction level on implicit services of Malaysian public higher education institutions. Gading Journal for the Social Sciences, 18(01), 41-59.
Moustakas, L., & Robrade, D. (2022). The Challenges and Realities of E-Learning during COVID-19: The Case of University Sport and Physical Education. Challenges, 13(1), 9. https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/13/1/9
Nuraeni, M. A. (2025). Comparative Analysis of Malaysian and Indonesian Sports Science Students’ Perceptions of Online Learning. Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE), 21(1).
Pratheebha, C., & Jayaraman, M. (2022). Learning and satisfaction levels with online teaching methods among undergraduate dental students - A survey. J Adv Pharm Technol Res, 13(Suppl 1), S168-s172. https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.japtr_285_22
Ramli, S. H., Razali, N. S., & Abdullah, N. A. (2020). The satisfaction level of education technology on students’ learning process.
Setiakarnawijaya, Y., Salim, N. P., Ilham, M., Hasyim, A. H., Taufik, M. S., Hanief, Y. N., & Setiakarnawijaya, M. A. (2022). Academic stress, perception, and attitude towards online learning of sports science students. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(12), 3189-3194.
Su, C.-Y., & Guo, Y. (2021). Factors impacting university students' online learning experiences during the COVID-19 epidemic. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(6), 1578-1590. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12555
Wei, H.-C., & Chou, C. (2020). Online learning performance and satisfaction: do perceptions and readiness matter? Distance Education, 41, 48 - 69.
Whalen, J. (2020). Should teachers be trained in emergency remote teaching? Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of technology and teacher education, 28(2), 189-199.
Xu, T., & Xue, L. (2023). Satisfaction with online education among students, faculty, and parents before and after the COVID-19 outbreak: Evidence from a meta-analysis [Systematic Review]. Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 14 - 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1128034
Zahari, N. S., Abdul Rahman, N., & Zahari, M. F. (2025). Exploring students’ satisfaction in online learning using regression analysis. International Journal on E-Learning and Higher Education (IJELHE), 20(2), 59-73.
Sharir, R., Norhisham, M. N., & Sabadri, S. N. S. M. (2026). Online Learning Satisfaction of Sport Science Students: A Comparative Study between Public and Private Universities in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 15(1), 997–1006.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode