The Relationship between The Intensity of Gadget And Online Game Use And The Motor Skills of MTs Students

Abstrak

This study aims to determine the relationship between the intensity of gadget and online game use and the motor skills of MTs students. The increasing use of digital devices among adolescents raises concerns regarding reduced physical activity and its potential impact on motor development. This research employed a quantitative correlational method with a cross-sectional approach involving 71 students selected through purposive sampling from MTs Laboratorium UIN Jambi. Data were collected using validated questionnaires on gadget-use intensity and online game intensity, along with motor skill tests consisting of shuttle run, ball-throwing coordination, and one-leg balance assessments. The results showed that 45% of students were categorized as having low motor skills, 35% moderate, and only 20% high. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between gadget-use intensity and motor skills (r = –0.42; p < 0.05), as well as between online game intensity and motor skills (r = –0.39; p < 0.05). These findings indicate that higher gadget and online game use are associated with lower levels of agility, coordination, and balance among students. In conclusion, the study highlights that excessive screen-based activity may reduce opportunities for physical movement, thereby inhibiting optimal motor development. The results emphasize the importance of regulating gadget and online game use both at home and in school settings to support students’ physical and motor growth.