“In my research, I try to find ways to make physical activity more enjoyable for teenagers – that’s the short-term goal. The final goal is to motivate them to be physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their lifespan,” Yudan Ma says. “It’s not about training them to become elite athletes. It’s about engaging them so they become physically active adults in the future.”

She points out that the decreased physical activity of teens is a worldwide problem. According to the World Health Organization, 81% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 are less active than the recommended health guidelines, mainly due to excessive use of digital technology, which poses a major distraction. “Today’s teens often prefer staying at home, play video games, or scroll through social media,” Ma explains. Another goal is to promote social interaction and help them improve motor skills.

The gym as a laboratory

For her research, Ma explored ways to make physical education classes more enjoyable for teenagers. “We chose this because PE is the most common and accessible setting where all teenagers can play safely under teachers’ guidance while interacting with their peers,” she explains. “I also focus on teenagers because these years are a crucial turning point. Research shows that activity levels at this age often shape how active people remain for the rest of their lives.”

Originally from China, Ma knew very little about how PE classes are conducted in the Netherlands. “I started by contacting local secondary schools, and then I went there simply to observe how students move and play during lessons.” She noticed some differences between Dutch and Chinese approaches to PE. “In China, there is a much stronger focus on physical competence and results, like who crosses the finish line first or achieving the best time,” she says. “Here, the emphasis is more on individual progress over a given period. It’s about how much you have improved compared to where you started, rather than competing directly with your peers.” She tailored her research specifically to the Dutch education system, consulting with PE teachers along the way to align with learning goals and student needs. 

There is also a collaborative version of the game, designed to improve social interaction. In this mode, a group of players must control a flock of birds together. “If someone flies too high, that person needs to slow down, so the group must decide on a strategy. Because they share a common goal, they need to pay attention to each other’s behavior and negotiate.” Ma found that both the collaborative and competitive modes enhanced social engagement and learning competence, while the collaborative mode also boosted enjoyment and teamwork, and the competitive mode mainly improved physical competence in regulating vigorous intensity.

Different solutions

It’s harder to measure teens’ actual physical competence and fitness improvement through a short period of usage with these technology-based games. “Improving those motor skills takes time, so we would need a long-term study for that,” Ma says. But she believes her research demonstrates ways to use technology in PE to engage teenagers. She sees the two designs in her dissertation as examples rather than final solutions.

“But I do believe they point to a direction and possibilities worth exploring further.” She notes that while there are many technologies for professional sports and adult fitness, such as workout apps or smartwatches, few are customized for teenagers and physical education. “I hope, in the future, we can develop a whole ecosystem of solutions, so teachers can choose what fits their group and aligns with learning goals. Gathering data through the sensors would also allow them to track individual progress over time.”

A smart approach

Ma’s research shows that by applying the playful and gameful elements teens already enjoy on their phones – such as game sounds and interactive feedback – it’s possible to make physical activity more appealing. “If we can tap into what motivates them digitally and redirects it toward movement and healthy habits, we can help teenagers stay active, improve their skills, and enjoy PE in a new way,” she says. Her work demonstrates a smart approach: observe what teens find fun and use it to their benefit, turning technology from a distraction into a tool for engagement and lifelong health.