INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES OF FOOTBALL EDUCATION IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN HENAN PROVINCE, CHINA
Abstract
This study investigated the integration of digital technology in campus soccer coaching at Henan University and examined its impact on skill development, training effectiveness, student engagement, and ease of use. The study used a quantitative descriptive correlational design and surveyed 209 student respondents who actively participated in campus soccer and interacted regularly with their coaches. Data collection was facilitated through a researcher-made questionnaire, validated by experts, and administered through an online platform. The findings revealed that although the use of digital tools in soccer training was generally effective, significant challenges were identified, particularly in terms of resource limitations and technological adaptation. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve digital technology implementation in sports education, addressing resource allocation, training support, and adaptability to new technological advancements. Recommendations include enhanced training programs for coaches, better resource allocation, and improved access to technical support to maximize the benefits of digital tools in soccer coaching
Keywords:
digital technology, soccer coaching, sports education, technological integration, campus sports, challenges, student engagement, training effectivenessDownloads
Published
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14142831Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Zhao Gongyan , Mantuhac, Pamela B

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Atencio, M., Clara, T., and Miriam, S. (2014). The role of physical education in holistic child development. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 19(5), 546–558.
Azimovna, K. B. (2020). The role of sports culture in shaping societal values. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 6(1), 44–50.
Bassett, D. R. et al. (2013). Impact of Physical Activity Programs on the Physical Activity Levels. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45(5), 110–118.
Bodsworth, H., and Goodyear, V.A. (2017). Barriers to and facilitators of using digital technologies in the cooperative learning model in physical education. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 22, 563–579.
Bronikowski, M. (2011). Transitioning from traditional to modern approaches to teaching physical education. In K. Hardman (Ed.), Contemporary Issues in Physical Education (pp. 122-142). Meyer and Meyer Sport, UK.
Bucher, C. A. (1987). Foundations of physical education. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby Company.
Buecher, C. A. (1987). Sport in contemporary society. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Bunker, D., & Thorpe, R. (2019). The Role of Technology in Coaching: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(3), 253–265. doi:10.1080/02640414.2018.1490712
Cai, Y. (2024). Research on the current state and practical path of digital sports training monitoring in colleges and universities. Contemporary Sports Science and Technology, 2024(03).
Camacho, C., Murcia, J. A. M., & Tejada, J. L. (2008). The effects of a sports program on the self-esteem of adolescents. Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte, 11(4), 21–36.
Casey, A., Goodyear, V. A., & Armor, K.M. (2017). Rethinking the relationship between pedagogy, technology and learning in health and physical education. Sport Educ. Soc., 22, 288–304.
Chang, K. E., Zhang, J., Huang, Y. S., Liu, T. C., and Sung, Y. T. (2020). Applying AR in physical education to improve motor skills learning. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(6), 685–697.
Chen, J. (2023). Analysis of ChatGPT application to assist digitalization of sports teaching. Research on Innovation in Ice and Snow Sports, 2023(09).
Chen, L. (2022). Research on the application of core strength training in the physical training of martial arts routines in colleges and universities—taking the martial arts routine students of Guangdong Police College as an example. Youth Sports, 2022(09).
Cheng, Y., and Fan, Y. (2023). Theoretical logic, dilemma attribution, and response strategies for the sports industry supply and demand balance under the new development pattern. Journal of Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, 2023(06).
Chomitz, V. R., et al. (2009). Physical fitness and academic achievement in middle school students. Journal of School Health, 79(1), 30–37.
Cohen, D. D., Voss, C., Sandercock, G. R. (2015). Fitness testing for children: Let us mount the zebra! J. Phys. Act. Health, 12, 597–603.
Demirhan, G. (2004). The importance of sport in education. Ankara: Nobel Publications.
Digiteum Team. (2021). “What is the Impact of Technology on Sports and Fitness?”
Ding, M. (2023). The return of social public power: essential questions, implementation strategies, and future prospects for the reform of single sports associations. Journal of Beijing Sport University, 2023(04).
Finkenberg, M. E. et al. (2005). Educational Simulations: Learning Through Practice. The Sport Psychologist, 19(1), 102–112.
Fletcher, T., Chroinin, D., Gleddie, D., & Beni, S. (2021). Meaningful physical education: An approach for teaching and learning. Routledge.
Friskawati, G.F., Karisman, V.A. and Stephani, M.R. (2019). Analyzing the challenges of using technology in physical education. Advances in Social Science, Education, and Humanities Research, 407, 15–17.
Frömel, K., et al. (2016). Physical education in the Czech Republic. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 21(3), 225–238.
Geisen, M., Fox, A., & Klatt, S. (2023). VR as an innovative learning tool in sports education. Applied Sciences, 13(4), 2239.
Grössing, S. (1991). Educational value of sport. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 26(4), 317–326.
Guo, B. (2023). Research on physical training in soccer training. Contemporary Sports Science and Technology, 2023(13).
Hardman, K. (2008). Physical education in schools: A global perspective. Kinesiology, 40(1), 5–28.
Harris, J., & Haughton, J. (2020). Enhancing athletic training using virtual reality: A review. Sports Medicine, 50(12), 2319-2331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01323-3.
Harris, R., Loughran, J., & Macdonald, D. (2020). Enhancing soccer training using virtual reality: Improving spatial awareness and reaction times. Journal of Sports Technology, 14(1), 89–104.
Hartwig, T. B., del Pozo-Cruz, B., White, R. L., Sanders, T., Kirwan, M., Parker, P. D., et. al. (2019). A monitoring system to provide feedback on student physical activity during physical education lessons. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports., 29, 1305–1312.
Hilvoorde, I. V. (2016). Sport and play in a digital world. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 10(1), 1–4.
Hou, J., Yu, L., and Fei, S. (2019). Four-point trapezoidal calibration algorithm for human-computer interaction system based on 3D sensor. Measurement 134:730–738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2018.11.016.
Hou, X., et al. (2019). Intelligent devices in sports training: Applications and impact. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 19(2), 467–475.
Hsiao, H.-S. and Chen, J.-C. (2016). A gesture-based interactive game-based learning approach to improve preschoolers’ learning performance and motor skills. Computer Education, 95, 151–162.
Hua, E., Ji, W., & Wu, X. (2017). Exploration and practice of cultivating engineering innovation talent in the context of China’s joining the Washington Accord. China Higher Education Research, 2017(01).
Huan Nan, C., and Zhen Zhong, L. (2021). An artificial intelligence fuzzy system to improve physical education teaching method. Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, 40(2), 3595–3604.
Huang, H. (2020). Strategic thinking in promoting the sports industry to become a pillar industry of the national economy. Sports Science, 2020(12).
Hughes, M., & Franks, I. (2018). Video Analysis in Sport: Applications and Innovations. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 18(3), 390-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2018.1509894
Juditya, S., Suherman, A., Rusdiana, A., Nur, L., Agustan, B., and Zakaria, D.A. (2020). Digital teaching material "POJOK": One of the technology-based media in physical education. Learning International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(10), 1774–1784.
Kim, J., et al. (2020). Human-computer interaction in sports and physical exercise. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(12), 1412–1420.
Kim, J., Merrill, K., Xu, K., and Sellnow, D. D. (2020). My coaches is a machine: Understanding students’ perceptions of AI teaching assistants in online education. Int. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Int. 36, 1902–1911. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2020.1801227
Kirby, P. et al. (2018). Employment challenges for physical education graduates. Education and Training, 60(3), 244–257.
Kirby, S. I., Duignan, M. B., & McGillivray, D. (2018). Mega-sport events, micro and small business leveraging: introducing the. Event Manage, 22, 917–931.
Kirk, D. (1993). School bodies: School practice and public discourse 1880-1950. Leicester: Leicester University Press.
Kirk, D. (1999). Physical culture, physical education, and relational analysis. Sport, Education and Society, 4(1), 45–55.
Kirk, D. (2012). Physical education futures: Can we reform physical education in the early 21st century. eJRIEPS, 27.
Kirk, D., and D. Macdonald (2018). The role of technology in physical education: A review. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 23(4), 397–410.
Kirk, D., and R. Tinning (2017). Physical education, curriculum, and culture: Critical issues in the contemporary crisis. Taylor and Francis.
Koekoek, J., van der Mars, H., Walinga, W., & Hilvoorde, I. (2018). Aligning digital video technology with game pedagogy in physical education. Journal of Physical Education Recreation and Dance, 89(1), 13–22.
Kuang, J., & Yu, R. (2023). The connotation, limiting factors, and promotion mechanisms of digital sports teaching in colleges and universities. Bulletin of Sports Science and Technology Literature, 2023(05).
Kuo, H. C., Tseng, Y. C., and Yang, Y. T. C. (2019). Promoting college students’ learning motivation and creativity through a STEM interdisciplinary PBL human-computer interaction system design and development course. Think Skills Creat. 31, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2018.09.001
Lambert, C. (2016). Digital physical education: Potential for digital technologies in physical education. Interactive Learning Environments, 24(5), 1038–1051.
Larsson, L. and Karlefors, I. (2015). Physical education cultures in Sweden. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 20(5), 442–457.
Legrain, P., Gillet, N., Gernigon, C., & Lafreniere, M.A. (2015). Integration of information and communication technology and student motivation in a physical education setting. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 34(3), 384–401.
Leonetti, M., Zhu, W. and Chen, W. (2017). The role of physical education in developing sports culture. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 17(3), 1128–1134.
Li, B. (2020). Research on middle school soccer teaching strategies under the concept of "campus soccer". Youth Sports, 2020(07).
Li, C., & Zhou, B. (2023). Innovation strategy of a college physical education teaching model under the background of digitalization. Contemporary Sports Science and Technology, 2023(28).
Li, J. (2021). An experimental study on improving lower limb proprioception and strength in young soccer players through functional training. Bulletin of Sports Science and Technology Literature, 2021(12).
Li, L., & Lv, W. (2023). International experience and enlightenment of collaborative governance of youth sports events. Journal of Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, 2023(02).
Li, X., & Li, W. (2015). The alienation phenomenon of campus soccer in my country. Journal of Sports Science, 2015(05).
Liu, C., Li, W., & Chen, B. (2022). Digital integration and innovation of traditional sports club teaching in the context of big data. Zhejiang Sports Science, 2022(06).
Liu, C., Zhang, Y., & Li, S. (2019). Impact of video analysis on soccer training and player development. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 18(2), 230–240.
Liu, Y. (2019). The educational value of campus soccer and its realization methods. Journal of Capital Institute of Physical Education, 2019(05).
Mansurovich, K.I. (2022). The importance of digital consciousness in modern physical education. Physical Education of Students, 26(2), 118–125.
Miah, A. (2017). Sport 2.0: Transforming sports for a digital world. MIT Press.
Modra, C., Domokos, M., & Petracovschi, S. (2021). The use of digital technologies in the physical education lesson: A systematic analysis of scientific literature. Timişoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal. https://doi.org/10.2478/tperj-2021-0004
Mozolev, O., et al. (2020). Healthy lifestyle: modern concepts of physical education. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 20(1), 8–13.
Nan, M. (2017). Comparative analysis of the basic characteristics of China, Japan, and South Korea in accepting modern soccer culture. Journal of Shandong Institute of Physical Education, 2017(01).
NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education). (2012). Instructional Framework for Fitness Education in Physical Education. Reston, VA: NASPE.
Neumann, D. L. (2016). Virtual reality training for sport: Current status and future directions. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 14(2), 123–142.
Østerlie, O., and Mehus, I. (2020). The impact of flipped learning on cognitive knowledge learning and intrinsic motivation in Norwegian secondary physical education. Educ. Sci., 10(110), 1–16.
Palao, J.M., Hastie, P.A., Cruz, P.G., Ortega, E. (2015). The impact of video technology on student performance in physical education. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 24(1), 51–63.
Palička, P., Jakubec, L., & Zvoníček, J. (2016). Mobile apps that support physical activities and the potential of these applications in physical education at school. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 11(1), 176–194.
Papaioannou, A. (1998). Goal Perspectives, Motivational Climate, and Coping in Physical Education. European Physical Education Review, 4(1), 5–29.
Paraskevaidis, P., & Fokides, E. (2020). Using 360˚ videos for teaching volleyball skills to primary school students. Open Journal for Information Technology, 3(1), 21–38.
Petray, K. D. (1989). Physical education: Content and delivery. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 60(3), 34–38.
Potrac, P., Jones, R. and Nelson, L. (2018). The influence of technology on coaching practice. Sport, Education and Society, 23(1), 105–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2016.1214157.
Quintas-Hijós, A., Peñarrubia-Lozano, C., & Bustamante, J. C. (2020). Analysis of the applicability and utility of gamified didactics with exergues at primary schools: Qualitative findings from a natural experiment. PLoS ONE, 15(4), 1–27.
Rapp, A. (2020). Design fictions for learning: A method for supporting students in reflecting on technology in Human-Computer Interaction courses. Comput. Educ. 145:103725. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103725.
Rapp, T. (2020). The limitations of traditional soccer training methods. Journal of Sports Training and Coaching, 34(1), 56–68.
Ren, Y., & Tian, T. (2009). PCK——Necessity for coaches’ education reform. Journal of Southwest University (Social Science Edition), 2009(02).
Robinson, D. B., and L. Randall (2017). Gadgets in the gymnasium: physical educators’ use of digital technologies. CJLT/RCAT, 43(1), 1–21.
Robinson, L. E. (2011). The relationship between physical activity and cognitive function among school-age children. Pediatric Exercise Science, 23(1), 7–14.
Robinson, L.E., & Goodway, J.D. (2009). Instructional climates in motor skill development. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 24(1), 3–21.
Sallis, J. F. et al. (2003). Physical education’s role in public health. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 74(2), 127–135.
Sargent, J. (2017). Digital technologies and learning in physical education: Pedagogical cases. Digital Technologies and Learning in Physical Education: Pedagogical Cases, 3322, 1–264.
Schempp, P. G., & McCullick, B. A. (2019). Balancing technology and tradition in coaching. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(8), 890–901. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1528946.
Shephard, R. J. (1986). Habitual physical activity and academic performance. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 26(1), 12–20.
Shephard, R.J., et al. (1984). The impact of daily physical education on academic performance. Pediatric Exercise Science, 4(2), 57–63.
Shi, W., Pan, R., Dong, Z., & Wang, M. (2009). Research on the cultivation of high-quality soccer talent in my country by the “Beijing Institute of Technology model”. China Sports Science and Technology, 2009(04).
Sibley, B. A., & Etnier, J. L. (2003). The relationship between physical activity and cognition in children: A meta-analysis. Pediatric Exercise Science, 15(3), 243–256.
Slater, S. J. et al. (2012). Association between State Physical Education Time Requirements and Physical Education Participation. American Journal of Public Health, 102(8), 1594–1599.
Smith, B., & Parr, M. (2007). Using Digital Technology to Improve Student Motivation in Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 78(1), 36–41.
Squire, K., & Jenkins, H. (2003). Harnessing the power of games in education. Insight, 3(1), 5–33.
Steinberg, C., Zühlke, M., Bindel, T., & Jenett, F. (2020). Esthetic education revised a contribution to mobile learning in physical education. Ger. J. Exerc. Sport Res., 50, 92–101.
Tao, M., Zheng, J., & Wang, X. (2022). Reflections on the co-construction of sports colleges by individual sports associations and colleges from the perspective of sports and education integration. Journal of Tianjin Institute of Physical Education, 2022(04).
Thomas, J. R., & Stratton, G. (2006). Physical Education in Schools. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(5), 911–914.
Tong, X., & Cao, G. (2023). Contemporary connotations, current states and countermeasures of digital technology empowering sports education. Contemporary Sports Science and Technology, 2023(36).
Trudeau, F. and Shephard, R.J. (2008). Physical education, school physical activity, school sports, and academic performance. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 5(1), 10–20.
Urquiza-Fuentes, J., & Paredes-Velasco, M. (2017). Big data and artificial intelligence in sports education. Journal of Sports Analytics, 6(4), 341–352.
Vazou, S., Mischo, A., Ladwig, M.A., Ekkekakis, P., & Welk, G. (2019). Psychologically informed physical fitness practice in schools: A field experiment. Psychol. Sport Exerc., 40, 143–151.
Vernadakis, N., et al. (2012). The impact of interactive video games on students’ motivation in physical education. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 21(3), 355–368.
Wang, F., Zhang, Y., Tan, X., & Wang, J. (2021). Research on the physical characteristics of soccer players in different positions. Youth Sports, 2021(03).
Wang, H., Wang, L., & Wang, X. (2021). Evaluating the effectiveness of digital tools in sports education: A focus on soccer. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(1), 75–89.
Wang, M. Y., & Liu, J. W. (2021). Effectiveness of digital tools in sports training: A systematic review. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(1), 115–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09830-8
Wang, X. (2023). Research on the key ability composition and development of digital teaching practice of college physical education teachers. Contemporary Sports Science and Technology, 2023(32).
Winn, W. (2002). Current trends in educational technology research: the study of learning environments. Educational Psychology Review, 14(3), 331–351.
Wintle, J. (2019). Digital technology in physical education: Global perspectives. Sport, Education and Society, 24(6), 665–667.
Wyant, H., & Baek, S. (2019). The use of digital technologies in physical education. International Journal of Physical Education, 56(1), 18–25.
Wyant, J., & Baek, J.H. (2018). Rethinking technology adoption in physical education. Curric. Stud. Health Phys. Educ., 10, 3–17.
Xie, S., Gong, B., Li, F., & Liu, F. (2018). A comparative study on the development plans of Chinese and Japanese football, taking the "Medium- and Long-term Development Plan of Chinese Football (2016-2050)" and the "JFA Medium-term Plan (2015-2022)" as examples. Sports and Science, 2018(05).
Xu, Q., Ming, J., Zhu, H., Luo, X., & Xue, S. (2021). Exploration of the practical application of the youth sports competition system in Jiangsu Province. Sports and Science, 2021(02).
Xun, C., & Chen, H. (2023). The dependence and expression of interest in sports colleges jointly established by the central government and local governments. Higher Education Forum, 2023(01).
Yang, X., Wu, L., & Li, S. (2019). Basic issues and strategic choices in the management of youth campus soccer-characteristic schools in my country. Sports Science, 2019(06).
Zhang, Y., He, X., & Zhang, Q. (2023). The operation of undergraduate courses in the context of high-quality development: implications, constraints, and implementation paths. Journal of Tianjin Normal University (Social Science Edition), 2023(05).
Zhao, Y. (2008). The manifestation, characteristics, and value of Chinese soccer culture. Sports and Science, 2008(03).
Zhao, Z., Gao, F., Sun, L., Zhang, L., & Ji, Z. (2018). Construction of characteristic schools for youth campus soccer in my country: concepts, characteristics and reflection. Journal of Capital Institute of Physical Education, 2018(03).
Zhou, M., Lin, Y., & Wang, Q. (2021). Gamification in Sports Education: Enhancing Engagement through Digital Tools. Journal of Sports and Physical Education, 27(3), 112–126.
Zhu, C., Guo, X., Wang, K., & Liu, L. (2022). Research on the integrated development model of higher-education colleges in my country in the new era—and on the innovation of the "Nanjing Sports Model." Sports Research, 2022(01).