eISSN: 2957-3602 editor@grpublishing.org
All Journals
Submit your article

Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Open Access Peer Review International
Open Access

Traditional Games and Physical Literacy: A Strategy to Reduce Sedentary Lifestyles Among Adolescents

DOI
PDF
Dr. Ananya Kulkarni 1 ,
4 Department of Physical Education, University of Delhi, India

Abstract

Traditional games have gained renewed interest as a culturally relevant and engaging strategy to combat rising sedentary lifestyles among adolescents. This paper examines how integrating traditional games into physical education curricula can promote physical literacy—encompassing motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding—to encourage lifelong participation in physical activity. Drawing on evidence from intervention studies and cross-cultural research, the paper highlights the multidimensional benefits of traditional games, including improved motor skills, enhanced social connectedness, and positive attitudes toward movement. Recommendations are provided for educators and policymakers seeking to leverage traditional play as an accessible and sustainable means to reduce sedentary behavior and support adolescent health.

Keywords

Traditional games, physical literacy, adolescents

References

📄 Zhu, Y., Wang, R., Liu, C., Xu, M., Wang, Q., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Sedentary behavior and the risk of depression in patients with acute coronary syndromes. American Journal of Cardiology, 121(12), 1456–1460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2018.02.031
📄 Kotlarczyk, M. P., Hergenroeder, A. L., Gibbs, B. B., Hamm, M., & Brach, J. S. (2020). Personal and environmental contributors to sedentary behavior of older adults in independent and assisted living facilities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(17), 6415. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176415
📄 Ellingson, L. D., Meyer, J. D., Cook, D. B., & Koltyn, K. F. (2018). Changes in sedentary time are associated with changes in mental wellbeing over 1 year in young adults. Preventive Medicine Reports, 11, 274–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.07.013
📄 Whitehead, M. (2007). Physical literacy: Philosophical considerations in relation to developing a sense of self, universality and propositional knowledge. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 1(3), 281–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511320701676916
📄 Irmansyah, J., Susanto, E., Lumintuarso, R., Sugiyanto, F. X., Syarif, A., & Hermansyah. (2021). Physical literacy in the culture of physical education in elementary schools: Indonesian perspectives. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 9(5), 929–939. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2021.090514
📄 Luo, L., Huang, G., Chen, Y., & Xu, S. (2022). Validity evaluation of the college student physical literacy questionnaire. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.856659
📄 Sudarwo, R., Kurniawan, E., Irmansyah, J., Balkis, M., & Esser, R. N. L. (2023). The effectiveness of Lombok traditional games on increasing physical literacy of elementary school. Jurnal Keolahragaan, 11(1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.21831/jk.v11i1.58316
📄 Kwan, M., Graham, J. D., Healey, C., Paolucci, N., & Brown, D. H. (2020). Stopping the drop: Examining the impact of a pilot physical literacy-based intervention program on physical activity behaviours and fitness during the transition into university. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), 5832. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165832
📄 Zhang, B., Zhang, W., Sun, X., Ge, J., & Liu, D. (2020). Physical comorbidity and health literacy mediate the relationship between social support and depression among patients with hypertension. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00304
📄 Edwards, L. C., Bryant, A. S., Keegan, R. J., Morgan, K., & Jones, A. M. (2017). Definitions, foundations and associations of physical literacy: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 47(1), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0560-7
📄 Widiasavitri, P. N. (2020). Traditional games as alternative activities for children stimulation. Journal of Psychology and Instruction, 4(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpai.v4i1.23010
📄 Siregar, E. H. S., Gultom, I., & Baiduri, R. (2022). Preserving traditional games of Margala through tourism Saka activities in Toba Samosir District. Indonesian Journal of Social Science Research, 3(2), 68–72. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijssr.03.02.01
📄 Hananingsih, W., Isnaini, L. M. Y., & Irmansyah, J. (2024). The role of traditional sports in establishing student character through physical education, sports, and health learning. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 12(3), 538–545. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2024.120310
📄 Abdullah, M. R., Musa, R. M., Kosni, N. A., & Maliki, A. B. H. M. (2017). The effectiveness of traditional games intervention program in the improvement of Form One school-age children’s motor skills related performance components. Movement Health & Exercise, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.15282/mohe.v6i2.142
📄 Widiarti, A. U. (2022). The role of traditional games on children’s ground motor and emotional ability. Acpes Journal of Physical Education Sport and Health (Ajpesh), 2(2), 143–149. https://doi.org/10.15294/ajpesh.v2i2.60887
📄 Gul, S. B. A. (2023). Early childhood care and education (3–6 years) and the role of traditional games: An exploratory study of Jammu and Kashmir. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 53–59. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajess/2023/v39i1839
📄 Iswinarti. (2022). The effect of traditional game Congklak Lidi with BERLIAN method to improve honest attitude to the children. Psychological Journal Science and Practice, 1(2), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.22219/pjsp.v1i2.19615
📄 Mahfud, M. (2023). Traditional games as a learning strategy to develop students’ self-control. Qalamuna Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Dan Agama, 15(2), 667–674. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v15i2.3176
📄 Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. (1981). Permainan rakyat daerah NTB. Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.
📄 Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. (1981). Permainan rakyat daerah Nusa Tenggara Barat. Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.

How to Cite

Traditional Games and Physical Literacy: A Strategy to Reduce Sedentary Lifestyles Among Adolescents. (2025). Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(08), 1-7. https://www.grpublishing.org/journals/index.php/gjhss/article/view/182

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > >> 

Similar Articles

1-10 of 11

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.