Evaluating the Effectiveness of Independent Training Using Mobile Applications in Physical Education

Abstract

Modern information technologies are penetrating all areas of education, including physical education. The pandemic and war have led to a shift to distance learning and the inability to attend gyms. Therefore, there is an urgent need to use educational platforms and mobile applications developed for sports. The purpose is to determine the effectiveness of mobile applications for independent physical education training. Methods: analysis and synthesis, generalisation, survey (according to The Sport Motivation Scale), observation, statistical methods. Results. Based on the analysis of mobile applications for physical education, the following groups were identified: for fitness (Fitness Buddy, MyFitnessPal, MapMyFitness, Sworkit Fitness, Total Fitness, Freeletics - Workout & Fitness. Body Weight App); for health monitoring during training (Water tracker: Drink reminder, Lifesum, FatSecret, Yazio, FitBit Coach, Calorie Counter by Lose It, MapMyRun, Nike+, Runkeeper, Runtastic); based on gamification (Zombies, FitXR, Liminal, Run! Meta Quest 3, The Thrill of the Fight, Walkr); for yoga training (Track Yoga, Sworkit Fitness, Daily Yoga, Gaia, Yoga Poses for Beginners, Asana Rebel); for running (Strava, Garmin connect, Runkeeper, Nike Run Club, Runna); based on virtual and augmented reality (VR Fitness, AR Fitness). The results showed the highest scores for the intrinsic motivation scales: knowledge - 28%, achievement - 25%, and experience - 22%. The scores for the other scales were distributed as follows: extrinsic motivation (identification) - 10%, extrinsic motivation (introjections) - 7%, extrinsic motivation (external regulation) - 5%, demotivation - 3%. Conclusions. Mobile applications proved to be effective for independent physical education training, as evidenced by the obtained technical, psychological, physiological and behavioural indicators. The practical significance of the obtained results is to determine the effectiveness of other innovative technologies in the process of independent sports training according to the proposed research scheme. Prospects for further research are to study the impact of mobile applications based on virtual and augmented reality on the psychological and neuropsychological state of users, the level of motivation and academic performance.