Innovative Approaches in Physical Education: Leveraging Cognitive Activation to Boost Student Outcomes

Haoran Zha¹Ding Xia¹Li Wen Ye^2*

• ¹Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, Chongqing, China
• ²Nanjing University, Nanjing, China

Physical education curricula often fall short in employing innovative teaching strategies that fully engage students and foster their physical and cognitive growth. Addressing this critical gap, the present study examines the effects of cognitive activation teaching strategies (CATS) on primary school students' physical education outcomes in Southwest China. Drawing on a robust sample of 929 students, the study utilizes a mediation model to investigate how CATS influence key mediators—classroom engagement, self-efficacy, and motivation—that, in turn, affect physical performance and health behaviors. The findings reveal that CATS substantially enhance physical performance and classroom engagement by creating a cognitively stimulating and supportive learning environment. Nonetheless, the strategies show limited effectiveness in improving emotional regulation and health behaviors, indicating the necessity for supplementary approaches. Qualitative interviews and lesson observations with 12 high-CATS teachers confirmed that they routinely combined goal-setting, progressively demanding fitness challenges and real-time formative feedback to spark “productive struggle” in PE. These practices translated into visibly higher intrinsic motivation, collaborative engagement and self-efficacy—as pupils discussed personal fitness targets, threw themselves into team drills and persisted through harder tasks. This study highlights the critical role of integrating cognitively engaging methods in physical education to elevate students' competence and confidence, ultimately contributing to more effective educational practices.