Blended learning in physical education: A systematic review

The effects of a blended learning model on the physical fitness of Chinese university students: a cluster randomized controlled trial in basketball education

OBJECTIVE

The university period is a critical stage of personal development, and improving the physical fitness of university students is crucial to their academic performance, quality of life, and future. However, in recent years, the physical fitness level of Chinese university students has shown a decreasing trend. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a blended learning model on the physical fitness of Chinese university students through a 16-week intervention.

METHODS

A total of 78 first-year students from a public university in Henan Province were recruited for this study via a cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) design. The participants were divided into an experimental group (blended learning) and a control group (traditional learning). The intervention lasted for 16 weeks, and physical fitness indices such as body mass index (BMI), lung capacity, sit and reach, pull-ups/sit-ups, standing long jumps, 50-meter runs, and 1000/800-meter runs were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted via generalized estimating equation (GEE) modeling, with the significance level set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Both learning models significantly improved students' physical fitness after 16 weeks. However, the blended learning model resulted in more significant improvements in lung capacity, sit and reach, pull-ups/sit-ups, standing long jumps, and 50-meter runs (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of BMI or 1000/800-meter run.

CONCLUSIONS

The 16-week blended learning model effectively promoted physical fitness among university students, especially in terms of their lung capacity, flexibility, strength and speed.

Blended learning in physical education: application and motivation

Background

The aim of the research was to evaluate outdoor aerobic sport activities (OASA) in the physical education (PE) of university students using wearables and their potential to personalize the learning process and enhance motivation.

Methods

In total, 368 university students participated. The OASA structure and the key points of application in PE were described. Descriptive statistics of the training units (n = 3,680) were processed. The students recorded their training data in the Strava app (10 sessions per semester), and the data were shared in the online sport community created on the Strava platform. Motivation was evaluated using a questionnaire. The focus was both on intrinsic motivation and extrinsic "ICT" motivation, based on Strava app features and tools.

Results

The most preferred outdoor aerobic sport activities were running (58%), cycling (13%), and walking (16%). The results provided insight into motivation and performance analysis. Students' motivation to participate in OASA was mainly in health concerns, such as staying in shape (94%), staying healthy (90%), and psychological concerns, such as having fun (88%), improving state of mind (88%), or relieving stress (83%). In achievement concerns, the motivation was a personal challenge (72%), while competing with others was ranked lowest (32%). The Strava app was a motivating tool for students to record, monitor, and analyze their individual activities and feel "connectedness" to the online sport community. 70% of students were motivated by the non-competitive character of PE, which gave them a personalized opportunity to train without being compared to others.

Discussion

The OASA management, with the use of blended learning methods and the Strava app, uses a motivational approach to create, support, and maintain students' healthy habits of physical activity through PE lessons. The need for students to be motivated to exercise can be confirmed in the analysis of the statistical descriptive parameters of running, cycling, and walking. There was a tendency for students to complete only the minimum required distance/time (not more). On the other hand, students enjoyed the training, and 99% of students confirmed that they would enroll again. That fact underlined the importance of motivating students with an effective learning strategy and giving support and guidance.

Effects of Pilates exercises on spine deformities and posture: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Pilates is becoming increasingly popular amongst a wide range of people and is gaining more attention. It is also an effective means of physical rehabilitation. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the effects of Pilates on spinal deformity and posture.

METHOD

This systematic review was conducted using four recognised academic and scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane) to identify articles that met the inclusion criteria. The secondary search used the Google Scholar and the Science Direct search engines. The search for articles for this review began in July 06, 2023 and was concluded on February 01, 2024. The search process for this study was documented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020). The PEDro scale was used to assess the internal validity and data statistics of the studies included in this systematic review and to evaluate the quality of the studies.

RESULTS

The systematic review included nine studies that met the inclusion criteria from the 651 studies retrieved, involving a total of 643 participants. The PEDro scale scores of the studies included in this systematic review ranged from 3 to 8. The intervention was in the form of Pilates or Pilates combined exercises. The studies included in this review used outcome measures of Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), range of motion (ROM), chest expansion, Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire (SRS-22r) and postural assessment. Research has shown that Pilates is effective in correcting spinal deformities and posture, as well as improving quality of life, pain relief, function and fitness.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provide substantial evidence that Pilates has a positive impact on improving spinal deformity and posture. However, more research is needed to validate whether Pilates can be used effectively as a physical therapy for spinal deformity rehabilitation. Pilates has considerable potential for public health interventions.

Responsibility of education in improving medical college students' ability to prevent and respond to public health emergencies in China - A systematic review

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the critical importance of sufficient preparedness for public health emergencies. This places higher requirements on the ability of medical staff to deal with such emergencies. Nonetheless, education courses on public health emergencies in China are usually aimed at public health students, and not at all medical college students. Importantly, these medical students will become medical workers who are generally the first-contact personnel and play an irreplaceable role in responding to most public health emergencies. Therefore, it is urgent to strengthen educational courses to enable these students to adequately prevent and respond to public health emergencies.

Objectives

The purpose of this systematic review was to reveal the current unsatisfactory status of Chinese medical college students' knowledge and skills in dealing with public health emergencies and their training needs.

Methods

We searched EMBASE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, Wan Fang, and VIP Information Network for all associated original studies written in English and Chinese from the inception of these databases until March 12, 2022.

Results

This systematic review screened out 15 eligible studies that met the inclusion criteria. These studies demonstrated that Chinese medical college students generally have a low ability to deal with public health emergencies. Most students believe it is essential to master coping with public health emergencies and desire to acquire this knowledge. But the participation rate is low, and only a few students actively seek relevant knowledge.

Conclusion

The findings of this review illustrate the importance of improving medical college students' education to prevent and deal with public health emergencies. It is necessary to improve medical college students' education in responding to public health emergencies.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, Identifier [CRD42023467374].