Traditional Games in Physical Education and Beyond: A Systematic Review of Experimental Research
Volume 16, Issue V (2026)
Volume 16, Issue V (2026)
Traditional Games in Physical Education and Beyond: A Systematic Review of Experimental Research
Abstract:
This systematic literature review investigates the application of traditional games within school education. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, the study analyzed 18 experimental research articles that utilized traditional games as the independent variable. Data was sourced from four prominent databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect. Key findings reveal a broad implementation of traditional games across diverse subjects, extending beyond the commonly associated Physical Education domain to encompass Mathematics, Physics, Art, and Science education. This practice is evident in various countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Tunisia, Spain, Kazakhstan, and Macedonia. The research emphasizes the interplay between game selection, intervention duration, and participant characteristics in determining the effectiveness of traditional game interventions. While this review highlights the significant potential of traditional games in enhancing educational outcomes, it underscores the need for further research. Exploring the application of traditional games in higher education and broader community contexts is crucial to fully comprehend their impact across different age groups and sociocultural settings. By expanding the scope of inquiry, future studies can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted benefits of traditional games and inform the development of effective educational strategies.
Keywords:
traditional games, physical education, systematic review, PRISMA, experimental research
Full Text:
References:
Adi, B. S., Irianto, D. P., & Sukarmin, Y. (2022). Teachers’ perspectives in motor learning with traditional game approach for early childhood. Cakrawala Pendidikan, 41(1), 1–11. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v41i1.36843 Alhazmi, A. A. (2023). “The pandemic of distance learning”: How Arab high school students see online‐learning during Covid‐19. Psychology in the Schools, 60(11), 4394–4403. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22763 Aliriad, H., Adi, S., Manullang, J. G., Endrawan, I. B., & Satria, M. H. (2024). Improvement of Motor Skills and Motivation to Learn Physical Education Through the Use of Traditional Games. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 24(1), 32–40. Scopus. https://doi. org/10.17309/tmfv.2024.1.04 Azlan, A., Ismail, N., Fauzi, N. F. M., & Talib, R. A. (2021). Playing traditional games vs. Free-play during physical education lesson to improve physical activity: A comparison study. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 25(3), 178–187. Scopus. https://doi. org/10.15561/26649837.2021.0306 Blain, D. O., Standage, M., & Curran, T. (2022). Physical education in a post-COVID world: A blended-gamified approach. European Physical Education Review, 28(3), 757–776. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X221080372 Capinding, A. T. & Remelie Dacumos Salazar. (2023). Revitalizing Science Education: Harnessing the Power of Traditional Filipino Games in the Classroom. TEM Journal, 12(4), 2241–2250. Coronavirus Research Database; Publicly Available Content Database. https://doi. org/10.18421/TEM124-35 Charles, Md. A. G., Abdullah, M. R., Musa, R. M., Kosni, N. A., & Musawi Maliki, A. B. H. (2017). The Effectiveness of Traditional Games intervention program in the Improvement of Form One School-Age Children’s Motor Skills Related Performance Components. Movement, Health & Exercise, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.15282/mohe.v6i2.142 Ermenova, B. O., Ibragimova, T. G., Sovetkhanuly, D., Duketayev, B. A., & Bekbossynov, D. A. (2020). Health-improving and educational effect of gamified physical activities. Retos, 39, 737–742. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.47197/RETOS.V0I39.82548 Fauzi, R. A., Suherman, A., Saptani, E., Dinangsit, D., & Rahman, A. A. (2023). The Impact of Traditional Games on Fundamental Motor Skills and Participation in Elementary School Students. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 11(6), 1368–1375. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2023.110622 Fernández-Oliveras, A., Espigares-Gámez, M. J., & Oliveras, M. L. (2021). Implementation of a Playful Microproject Based on Traditional Games for Working on Mathematical and Scientific Content. Education Sciences, 11(10), 624. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11100624 Hananingsih, W., Isnaini, L. M. Y., & Irmansyah, J. (2024). The Role of Traditional Sports in Establishing Student Character through Physical Education, Sports, and Health Learning. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 12(3), 538–545. https://doi. org/10.13189/saj.2024.120310 Hartanto, D., Kusmaedi, N., Mamun, A., & Abduljabar, B. (2021). Integrating Social Skills in Traditional Games with Physical Education Interventions. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 9(5), 921–928. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2021.090513 Ismawati, E., Hersulastuti, H., Amertawengrum, I. P., & Anindita, K. A. (2023). Portrait of Education in Indonesia: Learning from PISA Results 2015 to Present. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(1), 321–340. https://doi.org/10.26803/ ijlter.22.1.18 Jakubowski, M., Gajderowicz, T., & Patrinos, H. A. (2023). Global learning loss in student achievement: First estimates using comparable reading scores. Economics Letters, 232, 111313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2023.111313 Jebali, T., Moalla, W., Elloumi, M., Padulo, J., Baquet, G., & Chamari, K. (2013). The relevant use of the traditional Tunisian game “raqassa” for cardiovascular stimulation in schoolchildren. Biology of Sport, 30(3), 219–225. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1059304 Kamid, K., Rohati, R., Hobri, H., Triani, E., Rohana, S., & Pratama, W. A. (2022). Process Skill and Student’s Interest for Mathematics Learning: Playing a Traditional Games. International Journal of Instruction, 15(3), 967–988. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.15352a Khoiri, N., Ristanto, S., & Kurniawan, A. F. (2023). Project-Based Learning Via Traditional Game in Physics Learning: Its Impact on Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, and Collaborative Skills. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 12(2), 286–292. https://doi.org/10.15294/ jpii.v12i2.43198 Kristanto, W., & Wibowo, H. (2023). Use of Engklek in Character Education: Early Childhood Education. International Journal of Early Childhood Learning, 30(2), 53–72. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7939/CGP/v30i02/53-72 Luchoro-Parrilla, R., Lavega-Burgués, P., Damian-Silva, S., Prat, Q., de Ocáriz, U., Ormo-Ribes, E., & Pic, M. (2021). Traditional Games as Cultural Heritage: The Case of Canary Islands (Spain) From an Ethnomotor Perspective. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, 12. https:// doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.586238 Manzoor, S. R., Mohd-Isa, W.-N., & Dollmat, K. S. (2022). Post-pandemic e-learning: A pre-protocol to assess the impact of mobile VR on learner motivation and engagement for VARK learning styles. F1000Research, 10, 1106. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.73311.2 Muñoz-Arroyave, V., Pic, M., Luchoro-Parrilla, R., Serna, J., Salas-Santandreu, C., Damian-Silva, S., Machado, L., Rodríguez-Arregi, R., Prat, Q., Duran-Delgado, C., & Lavega-Burgués, P. (2021). Promoting Interpersonal Relationships through Elbow Tag, a Traditional Sporting Game. A Multidimensional Approach. Sustainability, 13(14), 7887. Publicly Available Content Database. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su13147887 Narimo, S., Sutama, S., & Novitasari, M. (2019). Pembentukan Karakter Peserta Didik dalam Pembelajaran Pendidikan Pancasila dan Kewarganegaraan Berbasis Budaya Lokal. Jurnal VARIDIKA, 31(1), 39–44. https://doi.org/10.23917/varidika.v1i1.8902 Nazarian, M., Alsheikh, N., & Alhosani, M. (2023). Between Vision and Revision: English Language Teachers Accentuating Their Voices about 21st Century Skills. The International Journal of Learning in Higher Education, 31(1), 25–50. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327- 7955/CGP/v31i01/25-50 Nurcahyo, A., Ishartono, N., Pratiwi, A. Y. C., & Waluyo, M. (2024). Exploration of mathematical concepts in Batik Truntum Surakarta. Infinity Journal, 13(2), 457–476. https://doi.org/10.22460/infinity.v13i2.p457-476 Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71 Rillo-Albert, A., Sáez de Ocáriz, U., Costes, A., & Lavega-Burgués, P. (2021). From Conflict to Socio-Emotional Well-Being. Application of the GIAM Model through Traditional Sporting Games. Sustainability, 13(13), 7263. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137263 Saputra, H., Hanif, A. S., Sulaiman, I., Ningrum, D. T. M., & Razali, R. (2021). The Effect of Traditional Games and Drill with Motor Ability on Skills (Running, Jumping, Overhand Throw and Catching) at Elementary School. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 9(6), 1097–1103. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2021.090603 Septianto, I., Sumaryanti, S., Nasrulloh, A., Sulistiyono, S., Nugraha, H., Ali, M., Ramadhani, A. M., Dewantara, J., Haniyyah, N., Fauzi, F., Suryadi, D., Ardian, R., & Subarjo, S. (2024). Traditional games for physical fitness: An experimental study on elementary school students. Retos, 54, 122–128. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v54.104177 Suhra, S. (2023). Character Education Values in The Bugis Traditional Game of Mappasajang: An Islamic Perspective. Ulumuna, 27(1), 390–415. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v27i1.573 Sulistyanto, H., Djumadi, D., Sumardjoko, B., Haq, M. I., Zakaria, G. A. N., Narimo, S., Astuti, D., Adhantoro, M. S., Setyabudi, D. P., Sidiq, Y., & Ishartono, N. (2023). Impact of Adaptive Educational Game Applications on Improving Student Learning: Efforts to Introduce Nusantara Culture in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE), 5(3), 249–261. https://doi. org/10.23917/ijolae.v5i3.23004 Susanto, S., Setyawan, H., García-Jiménez, J. V., Pavlovic, R., Nowak, A. M., & Susanto, N. (2024). Analysis of One-Hole Game Tools in Developing Fine Motor Skills in Early Childhood. Sportske Nauke i Zdravlje, 14(5), 135–139. https://doi.org/10.7251/SSH24V135S Syaukani, A. A., Subekti, N., Khuddus, L. A., Zoki, A., & Bimantoro, A. P. (2023). Challenge and barriers: Teacher reflection on teaching physical education and sports during Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Physical Education, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc. v34i1.3434 Trajkovik, V., Malinovski, T., Vasileva-Stojanovska, T., & Vasileva, M. (2018). Traditional games in elementary school: Relationships of student’s personality traits, motivation and experience with learning outcomes. PLOS ONE, 13(8), e0202172. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0202172 Uula, N. R., Ishartono, N., Faiziyah, N., Kholid, M. N., Nurcahyo, A., Machromah, I. U., & Setyaningsih, R. (2024). Ethnomathematics: Geometrical concept in Batik Sidomulyo solo. 020040. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0183039 Vit, E. (2023). The ability of low- and High-SES schools to inhibit learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 7(1), 100393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100393
