Physical Exercise Engagement: Its Impact on Mental Health to the Tertiary Students Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic Vanessa S. Maghanoy vanessa.salomon-maghanoy@g.msuiit.edu.ph Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, 9200, Philippines Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has become a worldwide public health concern. People experienced a prevalent decline in well-being, retrogression in mental health, and psychological distress such as stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Physical activity has traditionally been paramount in treating mental health issues. This study aimed to assess the impact of physical exercise engagement among the tertiary students' mental health in MSU-IIT amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 300 respondents participated in the descriptive-quantitative research study. Based on the study result, the respondents engaged in moderate to light physical activity for 30-60 minutes each day during and outside their P.E. classes. Dance, jogging, stretching, and sports are the physical exercise engagement of the respondents. Significant correlation of physical exercise engagement to the mental health status of the respondents reveals that physical exercise has a low negative correlation to psychological distress at r= -0.481, and there is a significant relationship at p=0.000. It also shows that physical exercise has a moderate negative correlation to depression severity at r= -0.619, and there is a significant relationship at p=0.000. It further reveals that physical exercise has a moderate negative correlation to anxiety disorder at r= -0.699, and there is a significant relationship at p=0.000. It further implies that increasing physical activity will help stimulate and reduce the psychological suffering response of mental health. Thus, it is recommended that physical exercise succour and benefit everyone's mental health. Keywords: Physical Exercise Engagement; Mental Health; Students 1. Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has been felt worldwide since the beginning of 2020 and has disrupted many aspects of life, including schools. Uncertainty surrounds the timing of school closures in March 2020 and the impact of the current academic year's almost complete shift to online learning. This outbreak has brought attention to the affected communities' mental health. It has been linked to fear for oneself or loved ones and restrictions on physical and social activities due to quarantine. Current outbreaks and pandemics were detected by stressors (i.e., infection fear, dissatisfaction, boredom, lack of resources, information, financial loss, and stigma). Advocates for Education said the prolonged closure of schools had a significant impact on student ’s development and mental health. For many students, disadvantaged and poorest communities, in particular, some parents are uneducated, others are too focused on work due to financial stress, and the school can be 59 www.ijrp.org IJRP 2022, 96(1), 59-67; doi:.10.47119/IJRP100961320222924