Adaptive Game Research Articles

Serious Games for Improving Mental Health: Status and Prospects

With the rapid development of time and technology, the significance of digital game development cannot be underestimated. In today's era, games have permeated thousands of households, encompassing a wide range of genres. They are no longer solely entertainment products but also can be applied in education, medical care, learning, scientific research, and other fields. Research indicates that serious games (games designed to teach knowledge and skills or provide professional training and simulation) can effectively improve mental health. This review discusses the current status and future prospects of serious games in promoting mental health. It presents a comprehensive classification of serious games by integrating several literature resources, synthesizing information and data analysis to investigate their effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes. The findings show that serious games play a certain role in the treatment of mental illness. However, the current body of research is not without limitations, as there exists a dearth of controlled experiments comparing the efficacy of serious games to other types of games and investigating the effectiveness of gamification techniques. To address these gaps, researchers and designers should further prioritize approaches such as emotional design and participatory design. Additionally, leveraging emerging technologies like virtual reality can facilitate the development of adaptable game designs and methodologies that align with evolving societal needs.

Determining the Impact of Adaptive Games on the Individuals’ Psycho-Emotional State among Different Age Groups in Poland and Ukraine

Objectives. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of implementating projects for the introduction of adaptive sports games on the psycho-emotional state of different population groups in Poland and Ukraine. Materials and methods. A total of 341 individuals were involved in the study: 117 children (8-12 years old), 118 middle-aged people (35-60 years old), and 116 elderly people (60 years and older). The participants of the study were divided into two groups: those who took part in the Polish project “Academic Center of Sports and Health Games for Activation of People with Special Needs” (56 children, 65 adults, 73 elderly people), and those who took part in the Polish-Ukrainian project, which was conducted directly in Ukraine, “Ukrainian Center of Occupational Therapy through Adaptive Games” (61 children, 53 adults, 44 elderly people). All study participants were engaged in adaptive games (Cornhole, Jacollo, Elastik, Kulbutto, Boccia, Paka laka) for the first time. At the beginning and end of the event on adaptive games, a survey of participants was conducted. To determine the psycho-emotional state of children, the WAM method (well-being, activity, mood) was used, and the features of adults’ psychological state were assessed using the standard test AWAMW (anxiety, working capacity, activity, mood, well-being). Results. The analysis of the obtained study results revealed positive changes in the psycho-emotional state of different population groups in Poland and Ukraine under the influence of adaptive sports games. Furthermore, the adult population, including the elderly of Poland and Ukraine, demonstrated decreased anxiety levels and a significant enhancement in activity, mood and well-being due to engaging in adaptive sports games. Conclusions. This study emphasizes the potential of adaptive sports games to improve the mental health of different population groups. The findings also indicate the effectiveness of implementating projects for the introduction of adaptive games on the psycho-emotional state of different population groups both in Poland and Ukraine.

Investigating the Role of Adaptivity in Video Games for Attitude Change

Video games have become one of the most widespread forms of media in the 21st century, bringing interactive digital narratives to over 3 billion people globally. Like other media, video games feature topics from our society, culture, and history. Research has shown that narrative-driven video games have a unique potential to influence explicit and implicit attitudes toward the topics they depict. However, the concrete mechanisms through which video games shape our attitudes remain unclear. Identifying the mechanisms behind the attitude-shaping effect would help to design more effective educational games and simulations. One aspect that reduces the potential of video games to change attitudes is a so-called credibility bias, a phenomenon where information contradicting one’s pre-existing beliefs is deemed less credible. For this reason, our work focuses on employing adaptivity to improve the attitude-shaping effect of video games. We hypothesize that adapting gameplay elements based on players’ pre-existing attitudes will mitigate the credibility bias, leading to greater attitude changes and enhanced game enjoyment compared to a static presentation. We propose assessing players’ attitudes before playing and adapting the game content accordingly, utilizing in-game metrics to track players’ actions to further refine the content. This work focuses on adapting highlights in user interfaces, narrative-related messages, and in-game goals. To empirically test our hypothesis, we have developed two versions of a video game – an experimental version featuring adaptive game elements and a control version with static content. For this proof-of-concept experiment, we have chosen the topic of electromobility, but we designed the adaptive elements to be usable with any topic. The experimental game is a delivery manager simulator featuring electric and combustion engine cars, with the aim of showcasing the usability and advantages of electric cars. Our experimental design involves a pretest-posttest setup with an experimental and a control group. We utilize measures for implicit and explicit attitudes and game enjoyment. This empirical study will bring valuable data reacting to the identified research gap. Should the adaptive approach prove to be usable, it could be widely utilized to improve the attitude-shaping potential of educational games.

Discovering Dadu: A Ludemic Enigma from South Asia

Abstract Dadu is a traditional board game exclusively played within the Muslim Dawoodi Bohra community in South Asia. Most households have their own hand-stitched cloth board, together with a set of wood-turned playing pieces and cowrie shells for dice. Though formally a two-player game, it is commonly played in large teams during family gatherings. Non-community members rarely take part and the game remains virtually unknown to outsiders. Descriptions of the game are absent from the scholarly literature and it does not find mention in any of the major game encyclopedias. Surviving boards and communal memory trace the game back to the early 20th century, but the hybrid nature of the game and the origin of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Yemen suggest that it may go back several centuries further. The present article uses ludemic theory to analyze the constituent elements of the game and demonstrate their affinity with elements in other games both inside and outside South Asia. The findings are contextualized within the wider history of the Dawoodi Bohra community, suggesting that Dadu may have resulted from the adaptation of a West Asian Tab game to a South Asian single track race game. A detailed set of rules gathered from interviews with members of the Dawoodi Bohra community is appended to the article.

Bridging Cultures: Integrating Game-based Learning based on Local Wisdom in ELT

The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Indonesia aims to cultivate students who embody the values of Pancasila. However, achieving the profile of Pancasila learners has been challenging due to less meaningful learning experiences that do not cater to diverse student needs. This study explores the potential of Game-Based Learning (GBL) integrated with local wisdom to address these challenges in Batang Regency's high schools and vocational schools. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected from 25 teachers through questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The findings reveal that GBL activities, such as traditional game adaptations, folktale integration, cultural role-playing, and local-themed vocabulary and grammar games, significantly enhance student engagement, motivation, and cultural awareness. These activities not only make learning more enjoyable and relevant but also foster the values of Pancasila, promote local culture, and support Batang tourism. The study reveals the importance of providing adequate resources and training for teachers to overcome implementation challenges and suggests future research to explore the long-term impacts and scalability of GBL. By integrating local wisdom into GBL, educators can create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that aligns with the Merdeka Curriculum's goals and enriches the educational experience in Indonesia.

Hybrid Electro search beetle optimization based task scheduling and game theory SOA based resource allocation in multi cloud computing

AbstractThe most complicated process in multi‐cloud computing is resource allocation, as it needs to cope with a number of configurations and constraints of cloud providers and customers. At the time of resource allocation, the centralized cloud broker monitors the virtual machines (VM) status, scheduling process, and fitness. However, VM scheduling is found tedious and has received huge attention in business, academia, and research. This enhances the demand for both task scheduling and resource allocation in a multi‐cloud environment. To bridge the gap between the consumer requirement and server infrastructure, a joint optimization‐based resource allocation and task scheduling concept is analyzed in the proposed framework. The first phase introduces the task scheduling mechanism, which uses Hybrid Electro Search and Beetle Swarm Optimization to determine the optimal task for specific VMs. The optimal selection procedure is done by analyzing a multi‐cloud environment's makespan, energy, cost, and throughput parameters. In the second step, an Adaptive Game Theory‐based Seagull optimization approach performs several rounds of reassignment iteratively to minimize the variation in the expected completion time, consequently decreasing high energy consumption and load balancing. The experimental analysis for the proposed model is implemented using Python. The proposed methodology is shown to achieve cheaper costs, shorter waiting times, improved resource allocation, and efficient load balancing. Finally, a comparative analysis is performed with some hybrid optimization models, which illustrate the efficiency of the proposed hybrid optimization model.

The influence of adaptive games on the psycho-emotional state of military personnel during rehabilitation

The influence of adaptive games on the psycho-emotional state of military personnel during rehabilitation

A genetic algorithm-based method to modulate the difficulty of serious games along consecutive robot-assisted therapy sessions

Background and Objective:One of the biggest challenges during neurorehabilitation therapies is finding an appropriate level of therapy intensity for each patient to ensure the recovery of movement of the affected limbs while maintaining motivation. Different studies have proposed adapting the difficulty of exercises based on psychophysiological state, based on success rate, or by modeling the user’s skills. However, all studies propose solutions for a single session, requiring a calibration process before using it in each session. We propose a dynamic adaptation method that can be used during different rehabilitation sessions, without the need for recalibration between sessions. Methods:The adaptation architecture is based on a genetic algorithm that aims to maintain a certain score level and to motivate the user to move. The method has been evaluated with two serious games for five sessions using a rehabilitation robot. A common initial evaluation was made for all the users involved in the study, and the game parameters that best suited each user from the previous session were introduced as the starting point of the next session. In addition, the desired score rate was lowered between sessions to increase the difficulty level. The psychophysiological state of the users was measured based on the Self-Assessment Manikin test, as well as different cardiorespiratory and galvanic skin response signals were analyzed. Results:The adaptation architecture proposed can find those game parameters that maximize the user movement for both games. In one of the games, the score rate set for each session is followed with high fidelity. The degree of personalization in the games increases between sessions as the dispersion of the game parameters grows. The Self-Assessment Manikin test and the physiological signals results would indicate that the psychophysiological state remains equal between sessions despite an increase in game difficulty. Conclusions:The genetic algorithm-based game adaptation has proven efficacy in maximizing the therapy performance through the sessions without needing recalibration. It also can be concluded that the design of the game influences the adaptation performance. Additionally, adaptive game design facilitated by our method does not significantly impact players’ emotional or physiological states.

Revitalising traditional Indian games: inclusive game adaptations for children with cerebral palsy

Background Children with cerebral palsy (CP) present unique challenges to physical activity due to various factors. Despite the benefits of inclusive approaches and adapted physical education, low- and middle-income countries face specific barriers including environmental, equipment, personal, policy, social and professional barriers. Traditional Indian games, with their cultural significance and potential therapeutic benefits, offer a promising avenue for inclusive adaptations. At present we couldn’t find any studies that explore’s the method of adaptation of traditional Indian games for children with cerebral palsy of varying functional levels. Purpose The aim of the study was to explore the adaptation of traditional Indian games for children with CP of varying functional levels. Methods Traditional Indian games were identified through ethnographic qualitative research, and adapted using the Delphi process involving experts from various fields. A total of 10 traditional games were selected based on their health benefits using an operationalised conceptual model. The CHANGE IT model of adapted physical activity was used to systematically adapt each game. Validation of the model was then performed on children with CP [a smaller sample size, n = 10] with different levels of functioning. Results The games varied in playing positions, surfaces and phases. Modifications included changes in game rules, play environment, equipment and time duration. The study validation through informal interview among the parents of CP children revealed that adapted traditional game protocol shown improvements in their children’s activity levels and participation. Conclusions While this is a preliminary exploration, no firm conclusion can be drawn. The model presented in this study lays the foundation for future randomised controlled trials to validate the effects of adapted traditional Indian games on children with cerebral palsy of different functional levels.

A collaborative adaptation game for promoting climate action: Minions of Disruptions™

Abstract. With the onset of climate change, adaptive action must occur at all scales, including locally, placing increasing responsibility on the public. Effective communication strategies are essential, and adaptation games have shown potential in fostering social learning and bridging the knowledge–action gap. However, few research efforts so far give voice to participants that engage with collaborative games in organisational and community settings. This paper presents a novel approach to studying designer–participant interactions in adaptation games, diverging from traditional learning-focused frameworks. Specifically, it examines Minions of Disruptions™ (MoD), a collaborative tabletop board game, through the lens of how participant perception aligns with the game's design intentions as described by the game designers and facilitators. Through focus group interviews with designers and facilitators, 10 core design intentions were identified and compared with responses from post-game surveys of participants from 2019–2022. Key insights reveal that collaboration and team building are highly effective frames for climate adaptation. However, some design elements, such as time pressure, can hinder discussion, suggesting a need to balance objectives. The method adopted manages to avoid traditional expert-to-public analysis structures and places emphasis on the importance of iterative design based on participant insights. This approach provides valuable guidance for future adaptation game designs, demonstrating that games can effectively engage diverse groups and support local adaptation efforts by creating a sense of belonging and collective purpose.

Assessing the Effect of Traditional Games on Manipulative Movements in Elementary School Students Based on Gender

Background. Manipulative movements are essential for children’s development, which can be found in traditional games, representing manifestation of local wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation. Objectives. This study aimed to examine the effect of traditional games on the manipulative movements of elementary school students based on gender. Materials and methods. This experimental study comprised two pretest-posttest groups without control variables. Data collection on pretest and posttest was carried out using three types of tests, namely throwing, catching, and kicking. A total of 60 students aged between 9 and 12 years were selected to participate in this study. The sample consisted of 30 male students (height 140.21±6.2 cm, and weight 35.77±5.6 kg), and 30 female students (height 138.4±6.8 cm and weight 34±4.1 kg). Results. The t-test analysis showed that the test results for male students were as follows: throwing 0.011<0.05, catching 0.007<0.05, and kicking 0.003<0.05. Then, the test results for the female students were: throwing 0.013<0.05, catching 0.017<0.05, and kicking 0.012<0.05. The results of the independent t-test indicated that the throwing, catching, and kicking tests revealed a statistical significance (p < 0.05) in both male and female students. Conclusions. The implementation of traditional games has been found to enhance the manipulative movements of elementary school students, as evidenced by positive changes observed in the pretest and posttest results. The improvement was achieved, among others, through the adaptation of traditional games following the characteristics of students’ development. Therefore, the conceptualization of physical learning within the framework of traditional games proved to be applicable and practical.

Enhancing Serious Game Design: Expert-Reviewed, Stakeholder-Centered Framework.

Traditional serious game design methods often overlook stakeholder needs. This study integrates stakeholder theory and enterprise architecture (EA), along with the Architecture Development Method, to propose a novel framework for serious game design. Crafted to aid practitioners, researchers, and specialists in leveraging resources more effectively, the framework is validated through a design science research methodology. Expert reviews have further refined its features, making it a robust tool for enhancing serious game design and implementation. This paper introduces a framework for designing serious games, covering stakeholder analysis, requirements gathering, and design implementation planning. It highlights the importance of expert review in validating and refining the framework, ensuring its effectiveness and reliability for use in serious game design. Through critical assessment by experts, the framework is optimized for practical application by practitioners, researchers, and specialists in the field, ensuring its utility in enhancing serious game development. The next step will be to validate the framework empirically by applying it to a serious game development project. We developed and validated a conceptual framework for serious game design by synthesizing stakeholder theory and EA through literature review, concept mapping, and theory development by way of a design science research approach. The framework is iteratively refined and validated via expert review, drawing on insights from professionals experienced in serious games, stakeholder theory, and EA. This method ensures the framework's practical relevance and effectiveness in addressing real-world design challenges. An expert review by 29 serious game practitioners validated the framework's success in stakeholder management, confirming its stakeholder-centered effectiveness. Although the experts praised its structured approach, they suggested clearer guidance for game design elements. In addition, the experts, while acknowledging the framework's complexity, saw its depth as valuable for efficient management. The consensus calls for a refined balance between detailed functionality and user-friendly design, with the framework's impact on stakeholder capabilities revealing a spectrum of professional needs. This paper presents a framework for creating effective and organizationally aligned serious games. Evaluated across execution, practical, and EA levels, it is logical but varies in ease of understanding, with experts calling for more accessibility at the EA level. It enhances stakeholder efficiency and management but is criticized for rigidity and a need for flexibility. Recommendations include streamlining the framework, enhancing clarity, reducing administrative tasks, and incorporating clear guidelines on technology use, motivational elements, and operational tools. This aims to help stakeholders produce more targeted and adaptable game designs. The next iteration will be developed after application to a project and team feedback.

‘This is the fate I choose’: Elsinore and thoughtful choice in Shakespeare games

Abstract Interactivity is one of, if not the most, crucial factor in video game adaptations of literature. The 2019 point-and-click adventure game Elsinore makes the most of its interactivity by building its narrative and gameplay around structural and thematically relevant aspects of the source text, Hamlet. Specifically, the combination of knowledge and motivation, central to the philosophy of prohairesis or thoughtful choice, is also an essential element of a fulfilling game experience. Additionally, it is meaningful that Elsinore leverages its focus on choice to make Ophelia their player-character. In short, this article argues that interactive genres, specifically video games, are a natural fit for the Early Modern fixation on thoughtful choice, especially representations of characters infamous for their lack of choice. Furthermore, these adaptations continue to represent an encouraging future for the commercial success of such works and future scholarship in adaptation theory.

Technologies to Support Adaptable Game Design: A Systematic Mapping Study

Designing games accessible and inclusive to a broader audience requires considering social, technical, and cultural aspects that recognize the diversity of the target audience. One strategy to foster inclusion is through adaptability, allowing games to be adapted based on the needs of their users. In this context, a Systematic Mapping Study was conducted to identify and document existing studies focusing on the adaptation of digital games. Aiming at creating a structured and wide panorama of the scientific literature, this paper draws on the 5W2H Framework to answer the following research questions: (1) What game characteristics are being adapted? (2) Why is it being adapted? (3) For whom is it being adapted? (4) When does the adaptation occur? (5) Who is carrying out the adaptation? (6) What technologies are present? (7) Where are the technologies used? (8) How were the technologies evaluated? (9) What was evaluated? (10) Who evaluated? and (11) What theories and methodologies support the study? Beyond presenting the current state-of-the-art in digital game adaptation, the mapping study highlights a prevailing trend in research on adaptive systems. Notably, Patients and Health Professionals emerge as the primary target audience, although many studies did not specify their target audience. The results also indicate that the evaluation of technologies commonly employs Proof of Concept, Experiment, and Case Studies, with Patients and Students frequently considered as the target audience, albeit as secondary participants in the adaptation and evaluation processes. Finally, the findings reveal that most papers lack explicit grounding in a theoretical or methodological foundation, suggesting the need for further investigation.

Relationship between employment and adaptive video gaming in individuals with physical disabilities

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess employment characteristics of individuals with physical disabilities who currently participate in adaptive gaming and determine if there is a positive association between adaptive gaming and employment. Materials and methods: A survey was administered to individuals with disabilities who currently use adaptive video gaming equipment to gather information on demographics, gaming habits, employment characteristics, and subjective benefits of gaming on employment. Results: The study included 606 participants. Over 57% of participants reported full-time or part-time employment. Nearly half of the participants reported using their equipment either most or all of the time to complete tasks related to work. Participants using their equipment to complete work tasks most or all of the time were more likely to be employed full-time (p = 0.0021). Over 75% of participants reported subjective benefits of adaptive video gaming on their employment. Conclusion: Participants in this study had higher rates of employment compared to national averages for individuals with physical disabilities. More frequent use of adaptive gaming equipment for work was associated with a higher likeliness of full-time employment. Most participants who were employed reported subjective benefits of adaptive gaming on employment through improvements in mental health, physical function, and cognition.

Virtual reality games for cognitive rehabilitation of older adults: a review of adaptive games, domains and techniques

In recent decades, the senior adults population worldwide has increased, as well as the medical conditions related to aging, such as cognitive decline. Virtual reality (VR) games are a valuable addition to conventional cognitive rehabilitation as they increase engagement to the therapy through customization, socialization, immersion, and feedback. This review, performed according to PRISMA protocol, addresses the following questions: How VR games have been used for cognitive rehabilitation?, What cognitive domains have been addressed by VR games and in which populations have these games been used?, Which features have been considered to improve engagement in VR games for cognitive rehabilitation?, How is the difficulty adjustment of exercises carried out in VR games for cognitive rehabilitation?. We found 25 scientific works related to these questions, 92% of them treating one cognitive domain at a time, despite the fact that the related literature recognizes the value of training multiple domains simultaneously. Our review indicates that, despite the existence of serious VR games for working memory training, such as those described in Flak et al. (Front Psychol 10:807, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00807), to our knowledge, there are no applications that simultaneously address multiple cognitive domains and incorporate dynamic difficulty adjustment, which are important to ensure ecological validity of therapy and therapy adherence, respectively. In addition, we found that games themselves could be used to monitor the user’s progression. It is also important to determine the impact of multiplayer interactions in the game, test difficulty adjustment approaches that use physiological variables, and define difficulty-skill relationships aligned with the user’s preferences. This paper concludes that the main barriers to implement dynamic difficulty adjustment in VR games for cognitive rehabilitation are: (i) the absence of metrics to estimate when the game offers to the players a challenge adapted their skills, and (ii) the lack of a conceptual framework that integrates relevant theories such as state of flow, cognitive load, cognitive rehabilitation, and feedback systems.

A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives on Adaptive Gaming in Rehabilitation

A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives on Adaptive Gaming in Rehabilitation

31 A clinical trial using exergaming with augmented reality to promote physical activity in children with Cerebral Palsy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood in the US1. Augmented reality (AR) has promise enhancing engagement of rehabilitation2. We developed adaptive games for children with CP using Augment Therapy™. The goal of this study was to obtain user experience in the orthopedic clinic to inform a home-based clinical trial. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Participants were recruited at a pediatric center from July 1 to September 20, 2023. Inclusion criteria werediagnosis of CP, ages 5-10 years, English/Spanish speaking. Exclusion criteria were cognitive delay, audio or visual impairment, seizures, or recent surgery. The Augment Therapy™ app was delivered through a clinic iPad. The electronic medical record was used to screen eligible patients. 22 patients were screened; 14 were not eligible based on exclusion criteria. 2 patients refused based on not having enough time to participate. Children played 5 games and their movements were tracked using augmented reality. To evaluate the quality of the app, participants were asked to complete a validated questionnaire, the modified Mobile App Rating Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Six participants were eligible and completed phase I. Eighty-three percent (5/6) of participants reported the character was mostly matching their child’s movements and easy for their child to follow instructions. Thirty three percent (2/6) reported there were technical issues where the app did not track or froze. 100% reported being interested in participating in the home clinical trial. Parent reported their child’s favorite games were flying and obstacle course. The mean and median MARS score was 3.8/5 and 4/5, respectively. Regarding engagement, 66.7% (4/6) reported the app was fun to use. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Families of children with CP reported positive experiences overall with Augment Therapy™ mobile app. The technical issues will need to be addressed. Future studies will need to establish efficacy and dosing time of use of the app for adherence to a program using these modules and engagement with the app to increase habitual physical activity.

Features of the application of boccia game in the physical and sports rehabilitation of disabled athletes with the consequences of children's cerebral palsy

In the article, based on the study of scientific literature, an analysis of the features of the boccia game in the physical and sports rehabilitation of athletes with the consequences of cerebral palsy is carried out. On the basis of the obtained data, a program of physical and sports rehabilitation of athletes with the consequences of cerebral palsy in the adaptation and training period using the boccia game was developed and substantiated. It was found that the means and methods of physical and sports rehabilitation proposed in the program contributed to the restoration of the functional state of the musculoskeletal system and the psycho-emotional state of athletes with the consequences of cerebral palsy.
 It was found that mobile adaptive games as a means of rehabilitation of athletes with the consequences of cerebral palsy have a number of advantages, among which the development of motor qualities, the formation of the optimal structure of coordination abilities, which helps to correct problem areas of the posture of an athlete with disabilities, the high emotionality of participants, pleasure from muscular work in the game and from the possibility of friendly communication. During the mobile game, a complex effect is exerted on the motility and neuropsychological sphere of the patient with cerebral palsy. It has been proven that boccia can become one of the promising means of a complex program of physical and sports rehabilitation of athletes with the consequences of cerebral palsy.

PEDAGOGICAL MECHANISMS FOR THE FORMATION OF PHYSICAL QUALITIES OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BASED ON NATIONAL EDUCATION

The article "Pedagogical mechanisms for the formation of physical qualities of high school students based on national education" explores innovative approaches in the field of physical education of high school students based on the principles of national education. The authors consider the influence of national traditions, cultural values and historical context on the formation of physical qualities of adolescents. The article presents pedagogical mechanisms, including the adaptation of traditional games, exercises and sports practices corresponding to the national heritage. The role of national customs in motivating high school students to physical activity and their involvement in classes is considered. As a result, the article provides practical recommendations for teachers aimed at using national characteristics in the formation of physical qualities of high school students, with an emphasis on their cultural context.