Indra Sholehudin, Soni Nopembri, Yudanto, Ferry Fendrian, Tian Kurniawan
Developing motor skills is a crucial component of education that influences students' physical abilities and coordination. Motor educability refers to an individual's ability to learn and master motor skills (physical movements) through instruction and practice. This concept encompasses cognitive abilities (thinking and understanding), sensory perception (such as vision, hearing, and proprioception), and muscle coordination. However, in Indonesia, a social stigma connects physical activity with lower cognitive abilities in sports schools, often referred to as "Schools Without Brains." The Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU) approach emphasizes understanding game tactics and strategies with the potential to enhance students' motor skills. Despite this promise, most studies on TGFU have focused primarily on cognitive development, leaving the role of fostering motor skills educability underexplored. Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of the TGFU approach on motor educability among elementary students. Material and Approach: A quasi-experimental design was used with three groups namely a control group (students with minimal physical activity), a regular physical activity group, and an experimental group engaged in TGFU-based sports activities. Ninety elementary students aged 9-11 participated with 30 students in each group. Motor skills development was assessed using motor educability tests, coordination tests, and the Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI). Results: The study showed significant improvements in motor skills, particularly coordination and fine motor skills among students who participated in the TGFU-based sports program. The experimental group showed greater gains compared to both the control and the regular physical activity groups. Conclusion: This study challenged the stigma that sports participation was incompatible with cognitive or motor skill excellence. By showcasing the dual benefits of TGFU-based learning on both motor and cognitive dimensions, the analysis outlined TGFU as a valuable addition to physical education curricula which promoted holistic development in young learners. © 2025, Editura Universitatii din Pitesti. All rights reserved.
Department of Sports Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department of Sports Education, Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan Dan Ilmu Pendidikan Pasundan, Indonesia; Department of Sports Science, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia
