Impact of Gamified Motor-Skill Drills on Self-Efficacy and Academic Engagement
Keywords:
Gamification, Motor-skill drills, Self-efficacy, Academic engagement, Randomized controlled trial, Physical educationAbstract
This study examined the effectiveness of gamified motor-skill drills on enhancing self-efficacy and academic engagement among secondary school students. A randomized controlled trial design was employed with 30 participants from Hungary, randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) receiving eight sessions of gamified motor-skill drills or a control group (n = 15) receiving no structured intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and four-month follow-up using validated self-report instruments for self-efficacy and academic engagement. Data analysis was conducted using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS-27. Inferential analysis revealed significant main effects of time and group, as well as strong time × group interaction effects for both self-efficacy (F(2,56) = 41.46, p < .001, η² = .59) and academic engagement (F(2,56) = 54.54, p < .001, η² = .66). Post hoc comparisons indicated that self-efficacy scores in the intervention group increased significantly from pre-test to post-test (Mean Diff. = -7.11, p < .001) and remained elevated at the four-month follow-up (Mean Diff. = -6.16, p < .001), while no significant differences emerged in the control group. Similarly, academic engagement improved significantly in the intervention group from pre-test to post-test (Mean Diff. = -11.97, p < .001) and from pre-test to follow-up (Mean Diff. = -10.53, p < .001), with no significant differences observed between post-test and follow-up or across time points in the control group. Gamified motor-skill drills produced significant and lasting improvements in students’ self-efficacy and academic engagement, supporting their integration into physical education programs as a dual-purpose intervention targeting both motor competence and academic outcomes.
Downloads
References
1. Zhao J, Yasunaga A, Kaczynski AT, Park H, Luo Y, Li J, et al. At-Home Immersive Virtual Reality Exergames to Reduce Cardiometabolic Risk Among Office Workers: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Jmir Research Protocols. 2025;14:e64560. doi: 10.2196/64560.
2. Kora S, Wersényi G, Prukner P, Drotár I, Prontvai N, Kós P, et al. Effectiveness of High-Intensity Therapy in Rehabilitation of Parkinson’s Disease Patients. Applied Sciences. 2025;15(11):5890. doi: 10.3390/app15115890.
3. Huber S, Knols RH, Held JPO, Betschart M, Gartmann SA, Nauer N, et al. PEMOCS: Effects of a Concept-Guided, PErsonalized, MOtor-Cognitive Exergame Training on Cognitive Functions and Gait in Chronic Stroke—a Randomized, Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2025;17. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2025.1514594.
4. Capodaglio E, Cavalagli A, Panigazzi M. Exergame for the Functional Rehabilitation of Adults Over 55 With Neurological Diseases. G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2025;44(1):59-76. doi: 10.4081/gimle.582.
5. Kou R, Zhang Z, Zhu F, Tang Y, Li Z. Effects of Exergaming on Executive Function and Motor Ability in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Plos One. 2024;19(9):e0309462. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309462.
6. Candice Simões Pimenta de M, Farias LBA, Maria Clara do Lago S, Pacheco TBF, Dantas RR, Fabrícia Azevêdo da Costa C. A Systematic Review of Exergame Usability as Home-Based Balance Training Tool for Older Adults Usability of Exergames as Home-Based Balance Training. Plos One. 2024;19(8):e0306816. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306816.
7. Büttiker J, Marks D, Hanke M, Ludyga S, Marsico P, Eggimann B, et al. Cognitive-Motor Exergame Training on a Labile Surface in Stroke Inpatients: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Neurology. 2024;15. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1402145.
8. Mo N, Feng Jy, Liu Hx, Chen XY, Zhang H, Zeng H. Effects of Exergaming on Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Jmir Serious Games. 2023;11:e42944. doi: 10.2196/42944.
9. Lin J, Zhang R, Shen J, Zhou A. Effects of School-Based Neuromuscular Training on Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Fitness in Children: A Systematic Review. Peerj. 2022;10:e13726. doi: 10.7717/peerj.13726.
10. Oppici L, Stell FM, Utesch T, Woods CT, Foweather L, Rudd J. A Skill Acquisition Perspective on the Impact of Exergaming Technology on Foundational Movement Skill Development in Children 3–12 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine - Open. 2022;8(1). doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00534-8.
11. Ostrosky MM, Favazza PC, Yang H-W, Stalega MV, Aronson-Ensign K, Cheung WC, et al. Investigating the Impact of a Motor Program on Preschoolers With Disabilities. Infants & Young Children. 2024;37(1):3-19. doi: 10.1097/iyc.0000000000000254.
12. Velde Gt. The Effects of an Exergame Implemented in Primary Schools on Physical Activity, Sedentary Time and Motivation in Children (Preprint). 2022. doi: 10.2196/preprints.36839.
13. Han Y, Ali SKS, Ji L. Feedback for Promoting Motor Skill Learning in Physical Education: A Trial Sequential Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(22):15361. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215361.
14. Quintas‐Hijós A, Lozano CP, Bustamante JC. Analysis of the Applicability and Utility of a Gamified Didactics With Exergames at Primary Schools: Qualitative Findings From a Natural Experiment. Plos One. 2020;15(4):e0231269. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231269.
15. Velde Gt, Plasqui G, Willeboordse M, Winkens B, Vreugdenhil A. Feasibility and Effect of the Exergame BOOSTH Introduced to Improve Physical Activity and Health in Children: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Jmir Research Protocols. 2020;9(12):e24035. doi: 10.2196/24035.
16. Moret B, Gorrieri RC, Grassi M, Campana G. Cognitive Exergame Training and Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation Effects on Executive Control in Healthy Young Adults. Neuropsychology. 2021;35(5):568-80. doi: 10.1037/neu0000745.
17. Šlosar L, Bruin EDd, Fontes EB, Plevnik M, Pišot R, Šimunič B, et al. Additional Exergames to Regular Tennis Training Improves Cognitive-Motor Functions of Children but May Temporarily Affect Tennis Technique: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.611382.
18. Mourits BMP, Vos LA, Bruijn SM, Dieën JHv, Prins MR. Sensor-Based Intervention to Enhance Movement Control of the Spine in Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Quasi-Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2022;4. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1010054.
19. Tobaiqi MA, Albadawi EA, Fadlalmola HA, Albadrani M. Application of Virtual Reality-Assisted Exergaming on the Rehabilitation of Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023;12(22):7091. doi: 10.3390/jcm12227091.
20. Campelo AM, Katz L. Older Adults’ Perceptions of the Usefulness of Technologies for Engaging in Physical Activity: Using Focus Groups to Explore Physical Literacy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(4):1144. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17041144.
21. McDonough DJ, Liu W, Gao Z. Effects of Physical Activity on Children’s Motor Skill Development: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Biomed Research International. 2020;2020(1). doi: 10.1155/2020/8160756.
22. Dirceu Ribeiro Nogueira da G, Andressa Oliveira Barros dos S, João Gabriel Miranda de O, Juliana Brandão Pinto de C, Rodrigo Gomes de Souza V. The Use of Exergames in Motor Education Processes for School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review and Epistemic Diagnosis. 2021. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.96074.
23. Et. al. Abdulrahman Nasser A. Motor Skills Performance of Children With Hearing Impairment Using Different Modules and Physical Education Setting. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (Turcomat). 2021;12(4):473-87. doi: 10.17762/turcomat.v12i4.529.
24. Alshahrany AN, Ibrahim H. Using an Exergame in Inclusive Physical Education for Elementary School Children With Hearing Impairment: A Future Area of Research in Saudi Arabia. Studies of Applied Economics. 2021;39(10). doi: 10.25115/eea.v39i10.5808.
25. Morris P, Hope E, Foulsham T, Mills JP. Exploring the Use of a Dance-Based Exergame to Enhance Autistic Children’s Social Communication Skills in the Home and School Environments: A Feasibility Study. 2022. doi: 10.31234/osf.io/xz5w9.
26. Morris P, Hope E, Foulsham T, Mills JP. Exploring the Use of a Dance-Based Exergame to Enhance Autistic Children’s Social Communication Skills in the Home and School Environments: A Feasibility Study. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. 2023;71(1):141-58. doi: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2212985.
27. Santos DTd, Dantas KBA, Coelho RR, Scudese E, Freitas FHD, Dantas EHM. Exergames and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cuerpo Cultura Y Movimiento. 2024;14(1). doi: 10.15332/2422474x.9874.
28. Kwon H-J, Maeng H, Chung J-W. Development of an ICT-Based Exergame Program for Children With Developmental Disabilities. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(19):5890. doi: 10.3390/jcm11195890.
29. Pacheco TBF, Candice Simões Pimenta de M, Victor Hugo Brito de O, Vieira ER, Fabrícia Azevêdo da Costa C. Effectiveness of Exergames for Improving Mobility and Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2020. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-19993/v1.
30. Irene MJvdF, Hartman E, Bosker R, Greeff JWd, Anne GMdB, Meijer A, et al. Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Cognitively Engaging Exercise on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Motor Skills in Primary School Children: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2020;38(17):1975-83. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1765464.
31. Cikajlo I, Rudolf M, Mainetti R, Borghese NA. Multi-Exergames to Set Targets and Supplement the Intensified Conventional Balance Training in Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Frontiers in Psychology. 2020;11. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00572.
32. Hauer K, Litz E, Günther-Lange M, Ball C, Bruin EDd, Werner C. Effectiveness and Sustainability of a Motor-Cognitive Stepping Exergame Training on Stepping Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity. 2020;17(1). doi: 10.1186/s11556-020-00248-4.
33. Tao G, Miller WC, Eng JJ, Lindstrom H, Imam B, Payne MW. Self-Directed Usage of an in-Home Exergame After a Supervised Telerehabilitation Training Program for Older Adults With Lower-Limb Amputation. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 2020;44(2):52-9. doi: 10.1177/0309364620906272.
34. Pacheco TBF, Candice Simões Pimenta de M, Oliveira VH, Vieira ER, Cavalcanti FACd. Effectiveness of Exergames for Improving Mobility and Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Systematic Reviews. 2020;9(1). doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-01421-7.
35. Tuan SH, Chang LH, Sun SF, Lin KL, Tsai YJ. Using Exergame-Based Exercise to Prevent and Postpone the Loss of Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, Cognition, and Functional Performance Among Elders in Rural Long-Term Care Facilities: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022;9. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1071409.
36. Garcia A, Bode A, Camillone S, Rao A. Innovative Movement Strategies for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Dance and Exergaming Interventions. Student Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2020:8-22. doi: 10.46409//001.zcie4403.
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
