International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 14(3), pp. 763 - 771
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140320
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Palembang Culture-Based Creative Gymnastics as a Medium for Improving Students' Physical Fitness in the Digital Transformation Era

Oktariyana ^1,*, Leni Pebriantika ¹, Noviria Sukmawati ^2
1 Postgraduate Program, Master of Educational Technology, Baturaja University, Indonesia
² Department of Sports Education, Faculty of Social Humaniora, Bina Darma University, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

The transformation to the digital era has made students increasingly dependent on electronic devices, resulting in a decline in their physical activity and health. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a Palembang-based cultural exercise called "Ya Saman" as an effort to improve students' physical fitness amid the digital transformation process. This study applied an experimental method with a one-group pretest–posttest model, involving 40 students from the Physical Education Study Program at Bina Darma University Palembang. The intervention program lasted for six weeks, with "Ya Saman" exercises performed for approximately 5 minutes per session, combining traditional rhythmic movements, Palembang music, and contemporary aerobic exercise principles, delivered through microlearning videos. The results showed a significant improvement in students' physical fitness, especially in cardiorespiratory endurance, as indicated by an increase in the average Harvard Step Test score from 65.25 to 81.05 (p < 0.05). The N-Gain scores fell into the moderate to high category, indicating that the intervention was sufficiently effective. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the "Ya Saman" creative exercise, rooted in Palembang culture, effectively enhances students' physical fitness while presenting a new strategy to promote an active lifestyle and preserve local culture in the digital transformation era.

KEYWORDS
Creative Gymnastics, Palembang Culture, Ya Saman, Physical Fitness, Students, Digital Transformation

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Oktariyana , Leni Pebriantika , Noviria Sukmawati , "Palembang Culture-Based Creative Gymnastics as a Medium for Improving Students' Physical Fitness in the Digital Transformation Era," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 763 - 771, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140320.

(b). APA Format:
Oktariyana , Leni Pebriantika , Noviria Sukmawati (2026). Palembang Culture-Based Creative Gymnastics as a Medium for Improving Students' Physical Fitness in the Digital Transformation Era. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 14(3), 763 - 771. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140320.