Utilizing Wearable Technology to Enhance Physical Education Teaching in Chinese High Schools

Abstract

Background and Aim: In the context of the rapid development of smartphones and the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable technology, as an emerging field, has received increasing attention. These devices interact with the user's body through sensors, processors, and connectivity technologies, capable of collecting, analyzing, and transmitting various physiological signals and movement data in real-time. This enables personalized health monitoring, activity tracking, and virtual reality functions, presenting significant market potential and prospects. Therefore, this research aims to study the utilization of wearable technology to enhance physical education teaching in Chinese high schools. Materials and Methods: This research was a mixed-methods study. The population consists of students from physical education classes across 3 high schools in Shanxi Province, and spans 3 grades: grade 10, grade 11, and grade 12, ensuring that each grade is equally represented within the study. Through a stratified sampling method, 18 classes were selected as the sample group, with each school contributing 6 classes, 2 classes from each of the grades 10, 11, and 12. Questionnaire surveys, observation, and interview methods were used to collect the data. In this research, descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: The research results showed that (1) the introduction of wearable technology into physical education significantly increases student engagement; (2) Wearable technology is positively correlated with improved performance in physical education; and (3) It have several barriers hinder the effective implementation of wearable technology, including the high cost of devices, technical difficulties, and a lack of adequate teacher training. Conclusion: Wearable technology significantly improves student engagement and learning outcomes in high school physical education in Shanxi Province. Students who used wearable devices reported higher motivation and greater consistency in participation, particularly due to features like real-time feedback and gamification.