Game-Based Learning Innovations in Physical Education: A Literature Review

Authors

  • Asep Sahrul Gunawan Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Bina Mutiara
  • Teguh Priyanto Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Bina Mutiara
  • Airil Fitra Alhakiki Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Bina Mutiara
  • Ari Jayadi Putra Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Bina Mutiara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61722/jipm.v4i5.2974

Keywords:

Game-Based Learning, Learning Innovations, Physical Education

Abstract

Game-Based Learning (GBL) is an increasingly developing learning innovation in physical education; however, research on its implementation remains scattered across various contexts, research designs, and forms of innovation, thus not yet providing a comprehensive overview of the field's development. This study aims to analyze the development of Game-Based Learning innovations in physical education through a literature review of research published between 2022 and 2026. The study utilized the Narrative Literature Review method by analyzing 25 scientific articles selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify research characteristics, main themes, and the direction of research development. The review results indicate that GBL innovations have evolved from conventional games toward gamification, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), exergames, digital games, and technology-based learning. Research themes are dominated by learning motivation, student engagement, learning outcomes, motor skills, physical fitness, and social interaction. This study concludes that GBL has strong potential to support more innovative and student-centered physical education learning and provides an overview of research trends and developmental opportunities that can serve as a reference for future research and learning practices.

References

Añasco, E. C., & Olimpo, H. V. (2025). Effects of Gamification on the Learning of Physical Education Students. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 6(3), 799–808. https://doi.org/10.54660/.IJMRGE.2025.6.3.799-808

Arufe-Giráldez, V., Sanmiguel-Rodríguez, A., Ramos-Álvarez, O., & Navarro-Patón, R. (2022). Gamification in Physical Education: A Systematic Review. Education Sciences, 12(8), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12080540

Baethge, C., Goldbeck-Wood, S., & Mertens, S. (2019). SANRA—A Scale for the Quality Assessment of Narrative Review Articles. Research Integrity and Peer Review, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-019-0064-8

Camacho-Sánchez, R., Manzano-León, A., , José Miguel Rodríguez-Ferrer, J. S., & Lavega-Burgués, and P. (2023). education sciences Game-Based Learning and Gamification in Physical Education : Education Sciences, 13, 1–13.

Camacho-Sánchez, R., Manzano-León, A., Rodr’iguez-Ferrer, J. M., Serna, J., & Lavega-Burgués, P. (2023). Game-based learning and gamification in physical education: A systematic review. Education Sciences, 13(2), 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020183

Culajara, C. J. (2022). Integrating game-based approach in students learning experiences in physical education: A phenomenological study. Edu Sportivo: Indonesian Journal of Physical Education, 3(3), 242–254. https://doi.org/10.25299/es:ijope.2022.vol3(3).10520

Dese, C., Wibowo, C., Widyaningtyas, R., Eko, Y., Physical, U., Program, E., Satya, U. K., & Bengkulu, U. (2025). Game-based learning to enhance motivation and fundamental motor skills in elementary physical education: a quasiexperimental study. 260–273.

Ezeddine, G., Souissi, N., Abaidia, R., Masmoudi, L., Trabelsi, K., Ammar, A., Jahrami, H., Husain, W., Tannoubi, A., Kurnaz, M., Altınkök, M., & Mrayah, M. (2025). Game-based physical education: a pathway to increased student motivation and greater learning outcomes. Frontiers in Education, 10(October), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1531651

Ferrari, R. (2015). Writing Narrative Style Literature Reviews. Medical Writing, 24(4), 230–235. https://doi.org/10.1179/2047480615Z.000000000329

Kirk, D. (2019). Precarity, Critical Pedagogy and Physical Education. Routledge.

Mahardhika, D. B., Pelana, R., Sulaiman, I., Samsudin, S., Asmawi, M., Tannoubi, A., Dimyati, A., Kurtoğlu, A., Lobo, J., Gazali, N., & Setiawan, E. (2024). Effect of Game-based Instructional on Learning Engagement and Game Performance of Students in Physical Education. Studia Sportiva, 18(1), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.5817/StS2024-1-14

Marsigliante, S., My, G., Mazzotta, G., & Muscella, A. (2024). The Effects of Exergames on Physical Fitness, Body Composition and Enjoyment in Children: A Six-Month Intervention Study. Children, 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/children11101172

Mas’odi, M., Eriyanti, R. W., Widodo, J., & Zuriah, N. (2026). Mapping Game-Based Learning Research in Physical Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Indonesian Scholarly Contributions (2014–2024). AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 18(1), 44–57. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i1.7585

Mercan, G., & Varol Selçuk, Z. (2024). Investigating the Impact of Game-Based Learning and Gamification Strategies in Physical Education: A Comprehensive Systematic Review. Journal of Interdisciplinary Education: Theory and Practice, 6(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.47157/jietp.1389843

Merino-Campos, C., del-Castillo, H., & Medina-Merodio, J. A. (2023). Factors affecting the Acceptance of Video Games as a Tool to improve students’ academic performance in Physical Education. Education and Information Technologies, 28(5), 5717–5737. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11295-y

Mo, W., Saibon, J. Bin, LI, Y., Li, J., & He, Y. (2024). Effects of game-based physical education program on enjoyment in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18043-6

Purwanto, D., Rejeki, H. S., & Mentara, H. (2024). Game-based physical learning model to enhance gross motor skills in young students. Jurnal SPORTIF : Jurnal Penelitian Pembelajaran, 10(3), 503–520. https://doi.org/10.29407/js_unpgri.v10i3.23982

Rahmawati, F. J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). The Impact Of Game-Based Learning Approach On Motivation In Physical Education. 6(2), 292–302. https://doi.org/10.35724/mjpes.v7i2.7055

Rink, J. E. (2020). Teaching Physical Education for Learning (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Röglin, L., Stoll, O., Ketelhut, K., Lisa, A., Niedecken, M., & Ketelhut, S. (2023). Evaluating Changes in Perceived Enjoyment throughout a 12‑Week School‑Based Exergaming Intervention. 1–15.

Romadhona, N. S., Kurniawan, R., & Darmawan, A. (2024). Investigating the effect of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) models on motivation and academic learning time in physical education. Psikologi Pendidikan, 1(1), 25–32.

Salsa Nabila Wardhani, Reshandi Nugraha, & Riansyah. (2025). The Effect of Game-Based Learning in Physical Education to Improve Social Interaction and Physical Fitness of Students at State Junior High school 40 Bandung. Journal of Physical Education Health and Sport, 12(2), 541–549. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpehs.v12i2.39782

Sotoca-Orgaz, P., Arévalo-Baeza, M., & Navia, J. A. (2025). Playing for a Healthy Life: Integrating Mobile Exergames in Physical Education. Behavioral Sciences, 15(2), 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020229

Tetikay, R. (2025). The Effect of Game- Based Learning on Students ’ Physical Fitness and Motivation in Elementary Physical Education Classes. Indonesian Journal of Teachingand Learning for Education, 01(01), 1–7.

UNESCO. (2015). Quality Physical Education (QPE): Guidelines for Policy-Makers. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000231340

Usiku, G. N. I., & Mohamad Yatim, M. H. (2025). A Survey Review of Exergames in the Field of Game-Based Learning. GAME-ON: Journal of Gamification and Game-Based Learning, 33. https://doi.org/10.37134/GameOn.vol1.1.3.2025

Wijaya, R. G., & Fitri, E. S. M. (2023). Traditional game based on e-learning method to improve the basic locomotor movements. Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani Indonesia, 19(1), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpji.v19i1.73698

Wiyarko, W., & Adhi, B. P. (2025). Enhancing Physical Education Learning Outcomes Through Game Based Learning Approach in Primary Schools. JUWARA: Jurnal Wawasan Dan Aksara, 4(2), 140–149.

Yan, J., Jones, B., Smith, J. J., Morgan, P., & Eather, N. (2023). A Systematic Review Investigating the Effects of Implementing Game-Based Approaches in School-Based Physical Education Among Primary School Children. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 42(3), 573–586. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2021-0279

Yan, J., Morgan, P. J., Smith, J. J., Chen, S., Leahy, A. A., & Eather, N. (2024). Pilot randomized controlled trial of a game-based intervention for teaching basketball in Chinese primary school physical education. Journal of Sports Sciences, 42(1), 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2319457

Zhao, M., Lu, X., Zhang, Q., Zhao, R., Wu, B., Huang, S., & Li, S. (2024). Effects of exergames on student physical education learning in the context of the artificial intelligence era: a meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57357-8

Downloads

Published

2026-08-03

How to Cite

Asep Sahrul Gunawan, Teguh Priyanto, Airil Fitra Alhakiki, & Ari Jayadi Putra. (2026). Game-Based Learning Innovations in Physical Education: A Literature Review. JURNAL ILMIAH PENELITIAN MAHASISWA, 4(5), 837–851. https://doi.org/10.61722/jipm.v4i5.2974

Issue

Section

##section.default.title##

Most read articles by the same author(s)