Experimental study: The impact of traditional team games on gross motor locomotor skills and social skills of elementary school children.

This article investigates the impact of traditional team games, specifically gobak sodor and bakiak, on the gross motor locomotor skills and social skills of Indonesian elementary school children aged 10 to 12 years. Using a quasi-experimental design with control and experimental groups, the study employed the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-II) and a social skills questionnaire to assess outcomes before and after a 16-session intervention. Statistical analysis showed significant improvements in both gross motor abilities—such as running, jumping, and balance—and social skills, including communication, cooperation, and adherence to rules, among children who participated in the traditional games compared to controls. The findings suggest that integrating traditional team games into physical education can effectively enhance physical and social development in this age group while also supporting cultural preservation.