From Gym to App: integrating digital monitoring to enhance student engagement in physical education

This study examines the effect of integrating a digital fitness application into university physical education on students’ physical activity, motivation, and self-perceptions. A quasi-experimental design was conducted over 14 weeks with 1,614 undergraduate students, divided into an experimental group (n = 812) and a control group (n = 802). Both groups attended weekly physical education sessions, while the experimental group also used the Google Fit application to monitor activity and achieve at least 150 Heart Points per week. Physical activity and motivation were assessed using an IPAQ-derived activity composite and a BREQ-3 aggregate, alongside measures of perceived physical competence and body image. Both groups showed improvements, but the experimental group reported significantly greater changes. Physical activity increased by 0.66 points in the experimental group (Cohen's dz = 1.42) and by 0.18 points in the control group (dz = 0.40), while motivation increased by 0.56 points (dz = 1.63) and 0.12 points (dz = 0.40), respectively. Both outcomes were derived from 5-point response scales. Cluster-adjusted differences in change were statistically significant across all variables (p < 0.001). The findings are consistent with a beneficial effect of the multicomponent digitally supported intervention, while the quasi-experimental design limits causal attribution.