Technologies for physical education of university students in online education: Systematic literature review

Background and purpose The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of various technologies in facilitating physical education for university students in online learning environments, addressing the key issue of how digital tools can enhance engagement and physical activity levels among students who are traditionally accustomed to in-person instruction; to thoroughly address this problem, qualitative data from student feedback and quantitative data on physical activity outcomes will be required. This article investigates the effectiveness of various technologies in facilitating physical education for university students within online learning environments, addressing the crucial issue of how digital tools can enhance engagement and physical activity levels among students traditionally accustomed to in-person instruction. Material and methods We analyzed the sources of scientific literature on the problem of online teaching of physical exercises to university students using data from four leading scientific databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google scholar. We used the EQUATOR network (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) recommendations to select empirical studies and the PRISMA recommendations to select theoretical papers (systematic reviews and meta-analyses). The analysis was conducted using the following keywords: physical education, students, online, teaching, technologies. The total number of sources provided by scientific databases on this topic was 4782. At the next stage, we selected the most suitable works on this topic. The inclusion criteria for our systematic review of works on this topic were: 1 - a match in at least two keywords, 2 - randomized control studies with determination of the reliability of differences between and within groups, 3 - diagnostic quantitative studies. The criteria for excluding studies from our systematic review were: 1 - studies that provided only a qualitative assessment of the parameters under study without quantitative data, 2 - studies that showed only percentage changes as statistical changes without determining the reliability of differences, 3 - literature reviews without relying on basic conceptual provisions. Through a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative feedback from students and quantitative analyses of physical activity outcomes, the research reveals that specific technologies, such as interactive fitness applications and virtual reality platforms, significantly improve both students' engagement and their physical activity levels. Results Notably, findings indicate that personalized and adaptive learning experiences foster a sense of community and motivation, which are often lacking in online educational settings. The implications of these findings are profound in the context of healthcare, as increasing physical activity among university students may contribute to improved overall health outcomes and reduced health disparities. This study underscores the necessity for integrating innovative technological solutions into physical education curricula to promote better health practices among young adults. Conclusions By identifying effective technological strategies for enhancing physical education, this research contributes valuable insights to the fields of education, health promotion, and public health, suggesting that leveraging digital tools can play a pivotal role in cultivating a more physically active generation, even in the face of evolving educational modalities.