Biomechanical and physiological impacts of the flipped classroom model in basketball education: A quasi-experimental study

The current research explores the benefits of the flipped classroom approach applied to college basketball classes with a focus on better skill acquisition and physiological improvement. The quasi-experimental design intervention was aimed at examining the effectiveness of integrating digital learning into conventional physical education methodology for 16 weeks among 88 undergraduate students. The experimental group went through a structured program of online theoretical teaching combined with practical exercises in class, whereas the control group received a traditional teaching approach. The results showed significant improvements in the experimental group in many aspects, including basketball-specific skills, which ranged from d = 0.78 to 0.91; physiological parameters, especially recovery duration, d = 0.91, and muscular endurance, d = 0.88; and academic performance, namely learning attitude, d = 1.12, and self-directed learning, d = 1.03. Notably, biomechanical adaptations were observed, such as improved upper and lower extremity coordination, reduced variability in shooting mechanics, and enhanced force generation efficiency during passing and shooting tasks. These findings emphasize the integration of biomechanical principles in flipped classroom settings, contributing to the optimization of movement patterns and kinetic chain efficiency. The flipped classroom approach greatly enhanced the ability of students to integrate theoretical knowledge into practice, especially in game strategy and tactical decision-making. The incorporation of biomechanical analysis further underscores its potential to align educational innovations with advanced physical performance outcomes. These findings should provide the evidence needed to ensure that technology-enhanced learning environments are valid methods through which traditional physical education paradigms can be transformed while pursuing dual objectives of sport-specific skill development and health promotion, and they provide valuable insight for educators and curriculum designers in higher education physical education.