The effectiveness of indigenous games on reducing motor poverty and improving students' academic performance: presenting an educational intervention model

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention model based on indigenous-local games on reducing motor poverty and improving academic performance of elementary school students in Qorveh County. This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all first to third grade elementary school students in Qorveh County during the 2024-2025 academic year. The research sample included students who were selected through stratified random sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the Academic Performance Questionnaire and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. The experimental group underwent an intervention with an indigenous-local games protocol including a collection of traditional games from the Kurdistan region such as Heileh Marani, Zooran Qachleh, Golobazi, Honori Manori, Toop Gharin, Hlookin, and Chel Kuchkeh. The interventions were implemented for twelve weeks, three sessions per week. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance. The research findings revealed that the indigenous-local games-based intervention had a significant effect on reducing motor poverty and improving students' academic performance. In other words, students who participated in the indigenous games program demonstrated higher motor proficiency and better academic performance compared to the control group. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that indigenous-local games, as an effective, low-cost, and culturally appropriate strategy, have significant potential to address two major challenges of motor poverty and academic underachievement in elementary school students. Therefore, it is suggested that educational planners and policymakers take an effective step toward enhancing students' motor health and academic achievement by reviving these games and incorporating them into curricula.