Effects of Traditional Games on Balance in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review

Putu Premanatara Pradnyadewi (Program Magister Program Studi Fisiologi Keolahragaan Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Udayana, Indonesia)
Susy Purnawati (Departemen Ilmu Faal Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Indonesia)

FISIO MU: Physiotherapy Evidences
Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): Movement to Recovery: Contemporary Physiotherapy in Practice

Introduction: Traditional games are a form of culturally-based physical activity with the potential to support the development of motor skills, including balance, in children and adolescents. This study aims to analyse the scientific evidence regarding the effects of traditional games on balance ability, identify the characteristics of the interventions used, and examine the measurement methods and outcomes reported in previous research. Methods: This study employed a systematic literature review approach based on the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted using the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and other relevant scientific databases, employing keywords related to traditional games, balance, postural control, children, and adolescents. Priority was given to publications from 2021 to 2026 that discussed physical activity-based traditional games involving measurements of balance or related motor skills. A total of 14 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analysed narratively. Results: The results of the review indicate that traditional games involving movement patterns such as single-leg jumps, changes of direction, landings, shifts in centre of mass, and body control on a limited support surface are reported to have the potential to support balance, particularly dynamic balance. Games such as engklek, egrang, and traditional games based on plyometric activities showed relatively consistent results across several studies. However, variations in participant characteristics, game types, intervention duration, study design, and measurement instruments led to heterogeneity in the findings; therefore, the results must be interpreted with caution. Conclusion: Overall, traditional games have the potential to serve as a contextual, easily implementable and enjoyable physical activity strategy to support the development of postural control and motor skills in children and adolescents. Further experimental research with more standardised designs is still required to strengthen the evidence regarding their effectiveness on balance.