Innovative methods of motivating students to engage in physical education

Abstract

This article examines innovative methods of motivating students to engage in physical education in higher education. The relevance of this research lies in the need to develop students' conscious desire for regular physical activity that continues beyond compulsory classes. The objective of this study is to theoretically substantiate and systematize innovative methods of motivating students to engage in physical education, taking into account the mechanisms by which they influence students' motivation. The study draws on domestic and international scientific publications on student motivation, the organization of physical education, the use of fitness technologies, gamification, digital monitoring, and socially oriented models of physical activity. The study explores the specifics of developing students' motivation for physical education and identifies the main reasons for their declining engagement. Motivation methods are systematized, and the associated motivational mechanisms are characterized. It is clarified that the effectiveness of an innovative method is determined by its alignment with the student's initial motivational profile. A model for developing students' motivation for physical education is proposed, combining motivational profile assessment, identification of the primary motivational deficit, selection of a teaching method, positive physical activity experiences, and reinforcement of regular physical behavior. A classification of methods based on their impact on motivation is provided. The study concludes that it is necessary to shift from uniform student incentives to a differentiated selection of methods focused on the specific causes of students' insufficient engagement in physical activity.