Using traditional games in physical education classes improves fitness and stabilizes the vestibule for 10-11-year-old

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional games offer a captivating and enjoyable avenue for promoting physical activity in children. This study investigates the potential of integrating such games into physical education curricula to enhance physical fitness and vestibular stabilization—a crucial aspect of balance and coordination—in pre-teen students. Problem Statement: This research addresses the question: Can incorporating traditional games into physical education (PE) programs lead to greater improvements in physical fitness and vestibular stabilization compared to traditional PE activities alone? Approach: This study examines the impact of a PE program enriched with traditional games on the physical fitness and vestibular stabilization of students aged 10-11 years. Materials and Methods: Sixty students (aged 10-11 years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG) participating in a PE program incorporating traditional games or a control group (CG) following a standard PE curriculum. The study spanned nine months, with both groups undergoing assessments for physical fitness and vestibular stabilization before and after the intervention. Results: While both groups demonstrated improvements in physical fitness and vestibular stabilization following the intervention, the EG exhibited significantly greater enhancements. The CG showed modest improvements (2.15% to 8.56% in fitness and 6.50% in vestibular stabilization), while the EG achieved substantial gains, with fitness improvements ranging from 9.02% to 20.20% and a remarkable 28.98% improvement in vestibular stabilization—a 4.5-fold increase compared to the CG. Discussion: The substantial improvements observed in the EG underscore the effectiveness of incorporating traditional games in enhancing both physical fitness and vestibular stabilization in young students. Conclusions: This study provides compelling evidence that integrating traditional games into PE curricula for students aged 10-11 years can significantly enhance both their physical fitness and vestibular stabilization, surpassing the benefits observed in traditional PE activities.