Technology in the Gym: Using Wii to Teach Bowling Skills

Background/Purpose:  The Wii sport games have become a popular way to expose and teach sports to children.  Many studies (Gentile, 2011; Wuang, et al., 2011; others) have examined the positive and negative affect of Wii games on motor skills, but there has been very little that focused on using it to teach basic sport skills.  A pilot study (Bell & Hinkle, 2013) was completed comparing the traditional method to the Wii for teaching bowling skills that would transfer to the bowling environment.  There were many problems that happened during the pilot study.  A second study was undertaken and corrected these problems.  The goal of the study was to also compare the two methods for teaching bowling skills: (1) the traditional method using a bowling mat, weighted pins, and adapted bowling ball, and (2) the Wii bowling program.  

Method:  This was a pre/post test experimental design study.  The pre-test involved all participants bowling 2 games at a bowling alley and provided data for the participants’ initial bowling skills.  The participants were then randomly assigned to one of three different groups.  All groups met 30 minutes twice a week for 3 weeks (total 6 sessions). Each group received different interventions.  Group 1 (the control group) received instructor led game play that was not associated with bowling skills.  Group 2 (the traditional method group) received instructor led rolling instruction using SPARK activities and the 4-step approach with bowling equipment.  And Group 3 (the Wii group) received instructor led activities that emphasized rolling skills and the 4-step approach but used no equipment except for the Wii for all activities.  After the 6 days of instruction, all the participants bowled 2 games on 2 different dates (total 4 games).  Data were collected through videotaping the participants as they bowled during the pre-test and all post-test games.

Analysis/Results:  Data were analyzed two ways: (1) comparing the scores from the pre and post test games, and (2) comparing the recorded performances for proper bowling technique (skills) using the rubric that was developed for this study. Results indicated that participants receiving the traditional method had better skill transfer, but there was also positive transference from the Wii group.  

Conclusions:  implication of the study is that both the traditional method and Wii positively effect teaching basic bowling skills, but teachers should emphasize the 4-step approach, as it was an important factor on both the traditional method and Wii group participants’ improvement.