The effectiveness of the TGFU approach in increasing student engagement in physical education lessons
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15561/health.2025.0205Keywords:
Teaching Games for Understanding, Physical Education, Student Participation, MotivationAbstract
Background and Study Aim. Physical education contributes to students’ physical, social, and emotional development. Traditional teaching approaches, however, often emphasize repetitive drills that fail to sustain students’ interest and participation. Although innovative models such as the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU) approach are increasingly applied in schools, their relative effectiveness in enhancing motivation and engagement remains of practical interest. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the TGFU approach in increasing student participation, motivation, and engagement in physical education.
Materials and Methods. The study followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol. The process consisted of four stages: database search, screening, eligibility assessment, and inclusion. Relevant publications were identified through searches in Taylor & Francis, Scopus, and the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute using predefined keywords related to the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU) approach. The initial search yielded 187 papers. After screening 162 titles and abstracts, 98 papers were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. Fifty-seven full texts were reviewed, and 15 studies were finally included in the analysis. Data from these studies were summarized to identify trends and evaluate the effectiveness of TGFU-based learning strategies.
Results. The analysis showed that both the TGFU approach and hybrid models such as TGFU/SE and TGFU/TPSR contributed to improvements in students’ physical fitness, sport-specific skills, and participation levels. The reviewed studies also indicated positive effects on motivation, decision-making, and enjoyment in physical education settings.
Conclusions. The findings suggest that the TGFU approach supports students’ physical, cognitive, and affective development. Nevertheless, its successful implementation depends on careful planning, adequate teacher preparation, and ongoing support. Broader and longer-term studies are recommended to confirm the consistency and generalizability of these results.
References
Arias-Estero JL, Jaquero P, Martínez-López AN, Morales-Belando MT. Effects of Two TGfU Lessons Period on Game Performance, Knowledge and Psychosocial Variables in Elementary Physical Education. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020;17(10): 3378. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103378 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103378
H N, Bena BAN, Ramli AM, Mustafa M, Sinaga AV. Pelatihan Gamifikasi Dalam Pembelajaran: Meningkatkan Keterlibatan dan Partisipasi Siswa Sekolah Menengah Pertama [Gamification Training in Learning: Enhancing Engagement and Participation of Junior High School Students]. As-Sidanah: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat. 2025;7(2):304-326. (In Indonesian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.35316/assidanah.v7i2.304-326
Barquero-Ruiz C, Morales-Belando MT, Arias-Estero JL. A Teaching Games for Understanding Program to Deal With Reasons for Dropout in Under-11 Football. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2021;92(4): 618–629. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2020.1759767 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2020.1759767
Batez M, Petrušič T, Bogataj Š, Trajković N. Effects of Teaching Program Based on Teaching Games for Understanding Model on Volleyball Skills and Enjoyment in Secondary School Students. Sustainability, 2021;13(2): 606. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020606 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020606
Candra O, Pranoto NW, Ropitasari R, Cahyono D, Sukmawati E, Cs A. Peran Pendidikan Jasmani dalam Pengembangan Motorik Kasar pada Anak Usia Dini [The Role of Physical Education in Gross Motor Development in Early Childhood]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 2023;7(2): 2538–2546. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i2.4506 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i2.4506
Cocca A, Carbajal Baca JE, Hernández Cruz G, Cocca M. Does A Multiple-Sport Intervention Based on the TGfU Pedagogical Model for Physical Education Increase Physical Fitness in Primary School Children? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020;17(15): 5532. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155532 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155532
García-Castejón G, Camerino O, Castañer M, Manzano-Sánchez D, Jiménez-Parra JF, Valero-Valenzuela A. Implementation of a Hybrid Educational Program between the Model of Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) and the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) in Physical Education and Its Effects on Health: An Approach Based on Mixed Methods. Children, 2021;8(7): 573. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8070573 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children8070573
García-González L, Abós Á, Diloy-Peña S, Gil-Arias A, Sevil-Serrano J. Can a Hybrid Sport Education/Teaching Games for Understanding Volleyball Unit Be More Effective in Less Motivated Students? An Examination into a Set of Motivation-Related Variables. Sustainability, 2020;12(15): 6170. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156170 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156170
Gaspar V, Gil-Arias A, Del Villar F, Práxedes A, Moreno A. How TGfU Influence on Students’ Motivational Outcomes in Physical Education? A Study in Elementary School Context. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021;18(10): 5407. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105407 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105407
Gil-Arias A, Diloy-Peña S, Sevil-Serrano J, García-González L, Abós Á. A Hybrid TGfU/SE Volleyball Teaching Unit for Enhancing Motivation in Physical Education: A Mixed-Method Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020;18(1): 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010110 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010110
Gil-Arias A, Harvey S, Cárceles A, Práxedes A, Del Villar F. Impact of a hybrid TGfU-Sport Education unit on student motivation in physical education. Romar JE (ed.) PLOS ONE, 2017;12(6): e0179876. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179876 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179876
Hariyadi H, Misnawati M, Yusrizal Y. Mewujudkan Kemandirian Belajar: Merdeka Belajar Sebagai Kunci Sukses Mahasiswa Jarak Jauh [Fostering Learning Independence: Freedom to Learn as the Key to Success for Distance Learning Students]. Badan Penerbit STIEPARI Press. 2023;2(1):1-215. (In Indonesian).
Jani J, Salimin N, Shahril MI. Kesan modul kejurulatihan permainan berasaskan Teaching Games for Understanding terhadap prestasi pemain bola jaring sekolah [The effect of a game coaching module based on Teaching Games for Understanding on the performance of school netball players]. Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2017;6(2): 81–89. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.37134/jsspj.vol6.2.8.2017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37134/jsspj.vol6.2.8.2017
Kurnia D, Septiana RA. Implementasi Permainan Kecil Sebagai Bentuk Pemanasan Terhadap Minat Siswa dalam Pembelajaran Pendidikan Jasamani [Implementation of Small Games as a Form of Warming Up for Student Interest in Physical Education Learning]. Physical Activity Journal, 2020;2(1): 90. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.20884/1.paju.2020.2.1.3302 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.paju.2020.2.1.3302
López-Lemus I, Del Villar F, Rodríguez-Gutiérrez A, González-Silva J, Moreno A. Could the Hybridization of the SE/TGfU Pedagogical Models Be an Alternative for Learning Sports and Promoting Health? School Context Study. Children, 2023;10(5): 877. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050877 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050877
Nugroho A, Lubis AE. Model Estafet Games untuk Siswa Tunagrahita [Relay Games Model for Mentally Disabled Students]. Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan Undiksha, 2021;9(3): 143. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.23887/jiku.v9i3.34643 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23887/jiku.v9i3.34643
Ortiz M, Meroño L, Morales-Belando MT, Vaquero-Cristóbal R, González-Gálvez N. Teaching Games for Understanding in Game Performance and Psychosocial Variables: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trial. Children, 2023;10(3): 573. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030573 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030573
Syaparuddin S, Meldianus M, Elihami E. Strategi pembelajaran aktif dalam meningkatkan motivasi belajar pkn peserta didik [Active learning strategies to improve students' motivation to learn pkn]. Mahaguru: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 2020;1(1): 30–41. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.33487/mgr.v1i1.326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33487/mgr.v1i1.326
Rahmadani A, Candra O, Fiqih M, Bcd Program P, Pendidikan S, Kesehatan J, Rekreasi D, Keguruan F, Pendidikan I. Model Pembelajaran Dalam Bola Basket: Studi Literatur Review [Learning Models in Basketball: A Literature Review]. Journal Research of Sports and Society. 2023;2(2):1–7. (In Indonesian).
Gustian U, Gandasari FM, Mahendra A. Effectiveness of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU): Using a modified Kasti game to stimulate elementary school students’ motor skills. Edu Sportivo: Indonesian Journal of Physical Education, 2024;5(1): 54–63. https://doi.org/10.25299/esijope.2024.vol5(1).16335 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25299/esijope.2024.vol5(1).16335
Sierra-Ríos JV, Clemente FM, Rey E, González-Víllora S. Effects of 6 Weeks Direct Instruction and Teaching Games for Understanding Programs on Physical Activity and Tactical Behaviour in U-12 Soccer Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020;17(14): 5008. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145008
Stojanović D, Momčilović V, Zadražnik M, Ilić I, Koničanin A, Padulo J, et al. School-Based TGfU Volleyball Intervention Improves Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Primary School Students: A Cluster-Randomized Trial. Healthcare, 2023;11(11): 1600. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111600 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111600
Umi Latifah Hanum O. Pola Asuh Orang Tua Terhadap Motivasi Belajar Anak Sekolah Dasar Di Desa Bandungrejo Kalinyamatan Jepara [Parenting Patterns and Their Influence on Learning Motivation of Elementary School Children in Bandungrejo Village, Kalinyamatan Jepara]. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar. 2022;2(8):2443–2450. (In Indonesian).
Usholiha A, Wardianto M. Hasil Belajar Bahasa Mandarin Ditinjau Dari Retensi Long Term Memory Di SMA Darut Taqwa Sengonagung Purwosari Pasuruan [Learning Outcomes of Mandarin Language Viewed from Long-Term Memory Retention at SMA Darut Taqwa Sengonagung Purwosari Pasuruan]. Jurnal Psikologi. 2017;4(1):9–18. (In Indonesian).
Wang M, Wang L. Teaching Games for Understanding Intervention to Promote Physical Activity among Secondary School Students. BioMed Research International, 2018;2018: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3737595 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3737595
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Gunarso Bagus Wicaksono, Lestari Lestari, Syahrizal Islam
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright Holder - Author(s). more
Abstract views: 207 / PDF downloads: 104
