Village Community Empowerment through Sparko Exercise: Integrating Physical Fitness, Social Solidarity, and Good Governance

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the integration of the TNI Manunggal Membangun Desa (TMMD) program, physical fitness practices through Sparko exercise, and the utilization of e-government as a comprehensive strategy for empowering rural communities. The background of this research is based on the need to expand the focus of rural development beyond physical infrastructure toward strengthening social aspects, public health, and data-driven governance. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a comparative case study design in Gianyar Regency, Bali. The study involved 15 informants consisting of village officials, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel, Sparko instructors, and community members participating in the program. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation review, and were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The findings indicate that the TMMD program, when combined with Sparko exercise, significantly increases community participation, strengthens social solidarity, and promotes healthy lifestyles in rural areas. Community-based fitness practices were proven not only to improve physical health but also to reinforce social cohesion as an essential form of social capital in rural development. Furthermore, the utilization of e-government plays a significant role in supporting transparency, communication effectiveness, and digital-based health data collection, thereby strengthening village governance. The integration of these three components forms a holistic, participatory, and sustainable model of community empowerment. This study contributes conceptually to the understanding of intersectoral approaches in rural development and offers an integrative model that can be replicated in other rural areas.