Development of Competency-based Acupressure Sport Massage Professional Certification Program in Higher Education: Participatory Action Research
Keywords:
Acupressure, Sport Massage, Competency-based Learning, Certification, Higher EducationAbstract
The study was designed to create and test a competency-based acupressure sport massage certification program for physical education students through Participatory Action Research (PAR). The study consisted of a diagnostic pre-cycle, a basic training and assessment (Cycle I), and supervised competency refinement (Cycle II). Thematic and descriptive data from focus groups, interviews, tests, observations, assessments, examiner feedback, student evaluations, and documentation were used to inform iterative reflection. The pre-cycle resulted in five considerations: academic relevance, market needs, career orientation, implementation challenges, and certification design. The mean baseline scores for 19 students in Cycle I were 83 for technique, 84 for positioning, 83 for communication, and 84 for hygiene. Hence, there were areas for improvement in the identification of acupressure points; all 17 students assessed achieved competency criteria, pressure control, rhythm, technical consistency, and confidence. Feedback from students was largely positive in Cycle II, with 16 out of 17 (94.1%) finding the evidence of assessment to be satisfactory. Results were used to guide a nine-session, 24–27 hours model that incorporated safety, ethics, communication, technical practice, supervised simulation, reflection, and assessment. The study proposes professional certification as an embedded competency development pathway in PE curricula.
References
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Daki?, M., Toski?, L., Ili?, V., ?uri?, S., Dopsaj, M., & Šimenko, J. (2023). The effects of massage therapy on sport and exercise performance: A systematic review. Sports, 11(6), Article 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060110
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Efendy, B. A., Hanif, A. S., Sulaiman, I., & Lanos, M. E. C. (2022). Android-based material for sports massage learning. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 10(4), 787–793.
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Mulder, M. (2017). Competence-based education and training. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 23(3), 267–276.
Nyumba, T. O., Wilson, K., Derrick, C. J., & Mukherjee, N. (2018). The use of focus group discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9(1), 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12860
Purwanto, D., Mentara, H., & Marhadi. (2023). Development of sport massage (e-sport massage) based on Android app with ADDIE design as a learning media for students. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 11(2), 432–439.
Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (Eds.). (2008). The SAGE handbook of action research: Participative inquiry and practice (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Sartono, H., Adityatama, F., Hadiana, O., Wahidi, R., & Atmaja, N. M. K. (2024). Upaya meningkatkan keterampilan massage bagian tungkai melalui media pembelajaran berbantuan TIK. Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani dan Olahraga.
Tomlinson, M. (2017). Forms of graduate capital and their relationship to graduate employability. Education + Training, 59(4), 338–352. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-05-2016-0090
Utomo, A. W. B., & Wahyudi, A. N. (2021). Media pembelajaran sport massage untuk mahasiswa: A research and development study. Jurnal Pendidikan Kesehatan Rekreasi.
Weerapong, P., Hume, P. A., & Kolt, G. S. (2005). The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention. Sports Medicine, 35(3), 235–256. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535030-00004
World Health Organization. (2013). WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014–2023. World Health Organization.
Bond, S. (2021). Developing professional identity in higher education: A multi-level perspective. Higher Education Research & Development, 40(3), 508–522. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2020.1745316
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Bridgstock, R., & Jackson, D. (2019). Strategic approaches to employability development: International perspectives and practice. Australian Journal of Career Development, 28(3), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416219876414
Campos-Izquierdo, A., González-Rivera, M. D., & Taks, M. (2016). Multi-functionality and occupations of sport and physical activity professionals in Spain. European Sport Management Quarterly, 16(1), 106–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2015.1108990
Chen, S.-R., Hou, W.-H., Lai, J.-N., Kwong, J. S. W., & Lin, P.-C. (2022). Effects of acupressure on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 28(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2020.0256
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Daki?, M., Toski?, L., Ili?, V., ?uri?, S., Dopsaj, M., & Šimenko, J. (2023). The effects of massage therapy on sport and exercise performance: A systematic review. Sports, 11(6), Article 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060110
Davis, H. L., Alabed, S., & Chico, T. J. A. (2020). Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 6(1), Article e000614. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000614
Efendy, B. A., Hanif, A. S., Sulaiman, I., & Lanos, M. E. C. (2022). Android-based material for sports massage learning. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 10(4), 787–793.
Gibb, S. (2018). Soft skills assessment: Theory development and the research agenda. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 37(4), 457–472. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2018.1484583
Iskandar, H., Kandupi, A. D., & Suanto, M. I. (2023). Sports massage can welfare and has economic benefits for PJKR FKIP alumni of Tadulako University. Musamus Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 6(1), 288–294.
Jackson, D. (2016). Re-conceptualising graduate employability: The importance of pre-professional identity. Studies in Higher Education, 41(8), 1237–1258. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2014.981853
Kafrawi, F. R., Nurhasan, Wahjuni, E. S., Ayubi, N., Muhammad, H. N., Kusnanik, N. W., & Komaini, A. (2023). Massage has the potential to accelerate recovery and decrease muscle soreness after physical exercise: Literature review. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 11(1), 170–175. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2023.110120
Kemmis, S., McTaggart, R., & Nixon, R. (2014). The action research planner: Doing critical participatory action research. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4560-67-2
Keiper, P., Manning, C., Jenny, S., Olrich, T., & Croft, C. (2019). Transitioning from the classroom to the workplace: Exploring student perceptions of preparedness for the sport management workforce. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 25, Article 100213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2019.100213
Kennedy, A. B., Patil, N., & Trilk, J. L. (2018). Recover quicker, train harder, and increase flexibility: Massage therapy for elite paracyclists, a mixed-methods study.
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 4(1), Article e000319. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000319
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Lee, E. J., Noh, J. H., Kim, E. K., & Lee, C. A. (2023). Effects of auricular acupressure on hip flexibility and pain in taekwondo participants: Randomized controlled trial. Pain Management Nursing, 24(4), e46–e51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2023.03.009
M?cznik, A. K., Schneiders, A. G., Athens, J., & Sullivan, S. J. (2017). Does acupressure hit the mark? A three-arm randomized placebo-controlled trial of acupressure for pain and anxiety relief in athletes with acute musculoskeletal sports injuries. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 27(4), 338–343. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000378
McQuaid, R. W., & Lindsay, C. (2015). Employability, work placements, and careers guidance: Progressing career decision making. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 43(4), 409–422. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2015.1017800
Mulder, M. (2017). Competence-based education and training. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 23(3), 267–276.
Nyumba, T. O., Wilson, K., Derrick, C. J., & Mukherjee, N. (2018). The use of focus group discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9(1), 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12860
Purwanto, D., Mentara, H., & Marhadi. (2023). Development of sport massage (e-sport massage) based on Android app with ADDIE design as a learning media for students. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 11(2), 432–439.
Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (Eds.). (2008). The SAGE handbook of action research: Participative inquiry and practice (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Sartono, H., Adityatama, F., Hadiana, O., Wahidi, R., & Atmaja, N. M. K. (2024). Upaya meningkatkan keterampilan massage bagian tungkai melalui media pembelajaran berbantuan TIK. Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani dan Olahraga.
Tomlinson, M. (2017). Forms of graduate capital and their relationship to graduate employability. Education + Training, 59(4), 338–352. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-05-2016-0090
Utomo, A. W. B., & Wahyudi, A. N. (2021). Media pembelajaran sport massage untuk mahasiswa: A research and development study. Jurnal Pendidikan Kesehatan Rekreasi.
Weerapong, P., Hume, P. A., & Kolt, G. S. (2005). The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention. Sports Medicine, 35(3), 235–256. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535030-00004
World Health Organization. (2013). WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014–2023. World Health Organization.
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