Effect of a gamification strategy on glycolysis learning in medical students

Authors

  • Denisse Cruz Trejo Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8947-3802
  • Joselyn Ramiro Zamitiz Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4943-1319
  • Victor Iván Viruega Góngora Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México
  • Katia Guadalupe Mariscal Flores Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2329-9816
  • Salma Quiroz De Alba Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56200/mentor.v5i2.12353

Keywords:

Gamification, Medical education, Biochemistry, Glycolysis, Educational intervention

Abstract

Topics such as glycolysis represent a considerable challenge in medical education due to their high conceptual complexity. Gamification has been proposed as a strategy to promote active learning in the teaching of basic sciences. Under this premise, this study analyzed the impact of a gamified intervention on the academic performance of 170 medical students from the Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla. Using a quasi-experimental design, a control group (n=82) was compared with an experimental group (n=88) that participated in a face-to-face activity involving the resolution of clinical challenges within a “metabolic city”. Following the intervention, the experimental group achieved a significant increase in their average score (from 6.44 to 8.05), whereas the control group showed no relevant changes. The analysis revealed a significant interaction between time and condition (p < 0.001), with a difference-in-differences of 1.78 points. These findings indicate that the integration of game elements is associated with significant improvement in academic performance in learning glycolysis among medical students.

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Author Biographies

Denisse Cruz Trejo, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Denisse Cruz Trejo, is a faculty member in the Medical Doctor program at the Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico. Her research focuses on the study of genotoxic alterations associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma related to environmental contamination. She also conducts research in health sciences education, particularly in pedagogical innovation and the use of gamification strategies for teaching biochemistry to medical students.

Joselyn Ramiro Zamitiz, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Victor Iván Viruega Góngora, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Víctor Iván Viruega Góngora is a faculty member and researcher in the Medical Doctor program at the Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico. His academic and research work focuses on the study of microbial genetics and statistical analysis applied to health sciences. His research interests include understanding genetic mechanisms in microorganisms and the use of biostatistical tools for the analysis and interpretation of data in biomedical research. He is also involved in the training of medical students through teaching in areas related to biochemistry, microbiology, and research methodology.

Salma Quiroz De Alba, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

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Published

2026-04-15

How to Cite

Cruz Trejo, D., Ramiro Zamitiz, J., Viruega Góngora, V. I., Mariscal Flores, K. G., & Quiroz De Alba, S. (2026). Effect of a gamification strategy on glycolysis learning in medical students. MENTOR Revista De investigación Educativa Y Deportiva , 5(2), 67–85. https://doi.org/10.56200/mentor.v5i2.12353

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