23/09/2026
ICYMI | UP Mindanao DHK faculty Prof. Jonathan Cagas, PhD gets nominated by the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) for leadership positions in their Focus Units - Specialty Divisions and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for the October 2026 to September 2028 term.
Prof. Cagas was among those who contributed to establishing the Sport and Exercise Psychology Special Interest Group (SEP SIG) within the PAP.
He has also contributed to international initiatives including the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA), Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!), and Global Observatory for Physical Education (GoPE!).
Physical inactivity remains one of the leading risk factors for chronic disease. Globally, 1 in 3 adults are inactive, with regional averages ranging from 5% in Africa to nearly 10% in Europe and the Americas. Prof. Cagas' advocacy is to bring greater recognition of the role of sport and exercise psychology in promoting physical activity and addressing physical inactivity and increasingly sedentary behaviors, which are growing public health concerns particularly among young people.
Driven by the vision that sport and exercise psychology is vital for both athletic performance and lifelong well-being, his work advances the field through research, education, collaboration, and capacity building.
Jonathan Y. Cagas, PhD is a faculty member at the Department of Human Kinetics, University of the Philippines Mindanao, specializing in the psychology of physical activity.
He completed the European Master in Sport and Exercise Psychology and holds a PhD in Physical Activity and Health, providing an interdisciplinary foundation integrating psychological science, physical activity, sport performance, and public health. He was among those who contributed to establishing the Sport and Exercise Psychology Special Interest Group (SEP SIG) within the Psychological Association of the Philippines. His research has been published in leading sport and exercise psychology journals, including the International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology and the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Dr. Cagas has contributed to international initiatives including the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA), Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!), and Global Observatory for Physical Education (GoPE!). In the Philippines, his work focuses on advancing sport and exercise psychology through research, education, collaboration, and capacity building.
VISION:
I believe that sport and exercise psychology has an important and expanding role not only in athletic performance, but also in promoting physical activity, mental health, and well-being across the lifespan. My training and research at the intersection of sport and exercise psychology and physical activity and health have shaped my commitment to a broader, interdisciplinary vision for the field. This motivates me to serve as Chair of the PAP SEP SIG.
A key advocacy I hope to bring is greater recognition of the role of sport and exercise psychology in promoting physical activity and addressing physical inactivity and increasingly sedentary behaviors, which are growing public health concerns, particularly among young people. Understanding the psychological, behavioral, social, and environmental factors that influence physical activity is essential to developing effective and sustainable approaches to getting people more active. At the same time, I hope to highlight the important role of regular physical activity in supporting mental health and psychological well-being.
If given the opportunity to lead the SEP SIG, I hope to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and evidence-informed community that connects psychologists with professionals in sports science, allied medical professions, public health, education, and related fields. I envision the SEP SIG as a platform for professional development, mentorship, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange, particularly for early-career practitioners and researchers.
Ultimately, I hope to help build a SIG that strengthens the profession and demonstrates the meaningful contribution of sport and exercise psychology to a more active, mentally healthy, and resilient Filipino population.
