The Effect of Augmented Reality-Based Learning Media on Improving Students Motor Skills in Physical Education

Abstract

Background: Traditional physical education instruction methods often fail to adequately address diverse learning styles and provide immediate feedback necessary for effective motor skill development in elementary students. The integration of augmented reality (AR) technology in educational settings has shown promising potential to enhance learning outcomes, yet limited research has specifically examined its effectiveness on motor skill acquisition in physical education contexts. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of augmented reality-based learning media on improving students' motor skills compared to conventional teaching methods in elementary physical education. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group was employed involving 30 elementary school students aged 10-12 years in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental (AR-based learning, n=15) and control groups (traditional instruction, n=15). The 12-week intervention was conducted three times weekly for 45 minutes per session. Motor skills were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition (TGMD-3) at baseline, mid-intervention (6 weeks), and post-intervention (12 weeks). Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc corrections. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significantly superior motor skill improvements compared to the control group across all TGMD-3 domains (locomotor skills: F(2,56)=89.23, p<0.001, ηp²=0.761; object control skills: F(2,56)=76.45, p<0.001, ηp²=0.732). Very large effect sizes were observed for locomotor skills (Cohen's d=2.34), object control skills (d=2.18), and total motor skills (d=2.67), indicating substantial practical significance. The AR group maintained 97% of learning gains at 4-week follow-up compared to 68% in the control group. Conclusion: Augmented reality-based learning media significantly enhances motor skill development in elementary physical education, providing superior learning outcomes compared to traditional instruction methods. These findings support the integration of AR technology in physical education curricula and suggest substantial potential for improving motor competence through technology-enhanced pedagogy. Future research should examine long-term retention effects and cost-effectiveness of AR implementation across diverse educational contexts.