Exploring the efficacy of video game training in developing adolescent reasoning abilities

Abstract

ABSTRACT The benefits of video games in physical education have been extensively researched (Camunas-Vega & Alcaide-Risoto, 2020; Fang et al. 2020). However, little attention has been paid to the effectiveness of commercial video games combined with basketball practice in improving students’ reasoning skills (Chuang, Yeh, and Lin 2021; Rogers et al., 2020). In this paper, we present the results of an experimental study whose objective was to assess the effects of a programme that includes the use of a video game as the main learning tool to enhance the reasoning process of secondary education students in Physical Education. A total of 271 students participated in this study. A quasi-experimental pre-post design with a control group was used. The experimental group performed a specific training programme with the NBA 2K16 video game for nine weeks, once a week, 60 min per session. The results show that the students who participated in the programme achieved an improvement in deductive and spatial reasoning with a moderate effect possibly due to the use of a video game. Another conclusion was that sex differences in the spatial and deductive reasoning on the pretest disappeared on the post-test.