<![CDATA[Regular physical activity is essential for the holistic development of elementary school students. While previous research suggests that gender might influence children's fitness, wellbeing, and enjoyment of movement, existing evidence often remains contradictory. To address this, the current study examined genderbased differences in physical fitness, psychosocial behavior, and exercise enjoyment among elementary students in Pasuruan Regency. Using a comparative crosssectional design, 150 purposively selected students (75 boys and 75 girls) were evaluated using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), the Prosocial Behaviour Questionnaire (PBQ), and the Indonesian Physical Fitness Test (TKJI). Data analysis using the MannWhitney U test revealed no significant gender differences in activity enjoyment (U = 2317, p = 0.062) or psychosocial functioning (U = 2619, p = 0.464). However, boys significantly outperformed girls in actual physical fitness (U = 1538, p < 0.001). This study clarifies inconsistent literature by demonstrating that despite a clear fitness gap, boys and girls share an equal enthusiasm for exercise and gain similar psychosocial benefits. Practically, these findings emphasize the need for schools to implement differentiated physical education programs that accommodate specific fitness differences while leveraging students' shared enjoyment to foster equitable development for all]]>
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