The Effect of the Tapa Gala Game on the Physical Education Learning Motivation of Elementary School Students

Abstract

Objectives: Physical Education, Sports, and Health (PJOK) aims to develop students’ physical abilities, engagement, cooperation, and positive attitudes. However, low motivation and limited participation remain challenges, particularly when learning activities are monotonous. The traditional game Tapa Gala offers an alternative by integrating physical activity, teamwork, strategy, and peer interaction. This study aims to determine the effect of Tapa Gala on the PJOK learning motivation of fifth-grade students at MIN 6 Bima.Materials and Methods: This quantitative experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design involving 29 fifth-grade students at MIN 6 Bima, selected through purposive sampling and divided into an experimental group (15 students) and a control group (14 students). Data were collected using a learning motivation questionnaire, observation sheets, and teacher interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk normality test, Levene’s homogeneity test, and an independent sample t-test at a 0.05 significance level.Results: Learning motivation increased in both groups, but the experimental group showed a greater improvement. The control group mean increased from 85.79 to 88.43, while the experimental group increased from 86.73 to 122.27 after the Tapa Gala intervention. The data met normality and homogeneity assumptions, with Levene’s test yielding 0.723 (>0.05). The pretest showed no significant difference (Sig. = 0.743 > 0.05), whereas the posttest showed a significant difference (t = -10.227; Sig. = 0.000 < 0.05).Conclusions: Tapa Gala has a positive and significant effect on PJOK learning motivation among fifth-grade students at MIN 6 Bima. Thus, Tapa Gala can serve as an effective alternative for enhancing student motivation while supporting active and enjoyable learning and the preservation of local culture.