Mobile tracking ecosystem on motor engagement and physical performance: a cluster-randomized trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v81.119074Keywords:
Adolescent physical activity, cluster-randomized controlled trial, mobile tracking, motor engagement, physical educationAbstract
Introduction: Adolescent physical inactivity remains a significant public health challenge. In North African urban contexts, limited extracurricular infrastructure and sedentary behaviors contribute to physical deconditioning among secondary students.
Objective: This study examined the effects of a multi-component mobile tracking ecosystem on motor engagement and physical performance among Moroccan secondary students from contrasting socioeconomic backgrounds.
Methodology: A cluster-randomized controlled trial enrolled 295 urban adolescents (59% female; M age = 16.99 ± 0.82 years) across nine intact classes (experimental: n = 161; control: n = 134) for 12 weeks. The intervention combined personalized training protocols, free tracking applications (Strava, Google Fit), WhatsApp peer-support networks, and 12 autonomous community sessions. Motor engagement was assessed via systematic ALT-PE observation (κ ≥ .78); physical performance via Luc Léger shuttle run, Ruffier-Dickson index, and Killy wall-sit test.
Results: Motor Appropriate engagement increased by +21.9 percentage points in the experimental group (48.7% - 70.5%; d_z = 6.54, p < .001), while declining in controls. Physical fitness improved significantly: Luc Léger +1.54 paliers (+25.7%), Killy +26.3 s (+21.7%), Ruffier-Dickson −1.05 points (−27.4%; all p < .001). No significant engagement-fitness correlations were found (r = −.08 to .10, all p > .26).
Discussion: Intervention effects exceeded typical benchmarks for technology-enhanced physical education. Absence of socioeconomic moderation confirmed the equity potential of peer-pairing pedagogy in resource-constrained contexts.
Conclusions: A low-cost mobile tracking ecosystem substantially improves motor engagement and physical fitness in secondary school physical education, with effects equitably distributed across socioeconomic strata.
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