About the Journal

Bima Loka: Journal of Physical Education is a peer-reviewed, Diamond Open Access scientific journal published since 2020 by the Department of Physical Education, Health, and Recreation, Faculty of Sport and Health Science (FIKK), Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), in collaboration with the Forum Komunikasi Pengelola Program Studi Pendidikan Jasmani Indonesia (FKPPSI).

About the Journal

Bima Loka: Journal of Physical Education is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and practice in physical education across all educational levels — from primary school to postgraduate studies. The journal publishes original research articles, conceptual papers, and theoretical reviews that contribute meaningfully to the development of physical education as a scholarly discipline and as a field of professional practice. The journal serves a broad academic audience: researchers, physical education teachers and lecturers, curriculum developers, school administrators, and education policymakers. By bridging the gap between academic research and classroom practice, Bima Loka aims to generate knowledge that is not only theoretically rigorous but also practically relevant to the real challenges faced by physical education practitioners across Indonesia and beyond. All manuscripts undergo an initial editorial screening followed by a rigorous double-blind peer review by a minimum of two independent reviewers with relevant expertise. Publication decisions are made solely based on academic merit and are entirely independent of any financial, institutional, or commercial considerations. The journal adheres to the ethical guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

What Makes Bima Loka Distinctive

Bima Loka occupies a distinctive position among physical education journals in Indonesia and the region through four defining characteristics: National Institutional Network As the only physical education journal published in collaboration with FKPPSI (Forum Komunikasi Pengelola Program Studi Pendidikan Jasmani Indonesia) — the national association of physical education study program managers — the journal has direct institutional ties to physical education departments across Indonesia. This positions Bima Loka as a nationally embedded, community-driven journal with a uniquely broad reach within the Indonesian physical education academic community. Full Educational Spectrum Unlike many physical education journals that focus on a specific educational level, Bima Loka welcomes research and scholarship across all educational levels — from elementary education through secondary, higher education, and postgraduate studies. This cross-level scope enables the journal to publish research that maps the full developmental trajectory of physical education in formal educational settings, including adapted physical education for students with disabilities. Indonesian Context with Global Relevance Indonesia presents a unique and internationally significant context for physical education research: a nation of over 17,000 islands with extreme geographic diversity, a rapidly evolving national curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka), significant disparities in educational infrastructure between urban and remote areas, and one of the world's largest student populations. Research emerging from this context offers insights that are directly relevant to physical education systems in other developing nations across Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond — making Bima Loka a journal of genuine international scholarly value. Bridging Research and Practice Bima Loka is explicitly designed to serve both the academic research community and the professional practitioner community. The journal welcomes not only empirical and theoretical research but also evidence-based conceptual papers and practice-oriented studies that translate research findings into actionable insights for teachers, coaches, curriculum developers, and education policymakers. This dual orientation makes the journal a meaningful resource for those who both produce and apply physical education knowledge.

Academic Contribution

Bima Loka: Journal of Physical Education contributes to the field of physical education through multiple academic dimensions: Empirical contributions — generating new data and evidence on the effectiveness of instructional strategies, learning outcomes, physical fitness interventions, and assessment practices in Indonesian educational contexts Methodological contributions — advancing research methodologies applied in physical education, including mixed-methods approaches, action research, and evidence-based practice frameworks Theoretical contributions — developing and testing conceptual frameworks that explain learning processes, motor development, and pedagogical approaches in physical education Practical and policy contributions — producing evidence that directly informs curriculum design, teacher training, school health programs, and physical education policy at institutional and national levels Contextual contributions — documenting and analyzing physical education practices in diverse Indonesian contexts — urban, rural, and remote — that remain underrepresented in international physical education literature

International Relevance

The challenges and innovations in physical education documented in Bima Loka are not unique to Indonesia — they resonate with researchers and practitioners worldwide. Issues such as curriculum reform in physical education, promoting physical activity among school-age children, improving physical education quality in resource-limited settings, inclusive physical education for students with diverse needs, and the integration of technology in physical education are globally relevant research priorities. Indonesia's experience with navigating ongoing national curriculum reforms, managing physical education across a geographically dispersed and culturally diverse nation, and expanding access to quality physical education in underserved communities provides internationally valuable insights — particularly for researchers and policymakers in other developing nations navigating similar challenges. The journal actively encourages submissions from international authors and collaborations that bring comparative or cross-national perspectives to physical education research.

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