Numerous research investigations have explored various approaches to online sports instruction; however, limited data exist regarding students' perspectives on the use of video and text-based instructional techniques. This paper endeavours to examine the impact of two asynchronous online physical learning methods (the YouTube method and the text instruction method) on students' practical skill proficiency while also ascertaining their opinions and preferences regarding instructional methodologies. The method of quasi-experiment with no control group was used. One hundred and twelve students from Henan University participated in the study. This study involved participants enrolled in a distance learning program ranging in age from 35 to 45 years. The researchers employed a stratified random sampling technique to recruit the participants. The results of the RM-ANOVA showed that the average post-test scores of the students for both the YouTube method and the method using test instructions had significant differences from the pre-test scores. The conclusions of this study underscore the effectiveness of both asynchronous online learning methods in enhancing students' practical skills. These findings indicate the potential of both methods to achieve superior educational outcomes compared to students' initial skill levels. Based on the research results, a combination of teaching methods utilizing YouTube video hosting and textual instructions for online physical education learning can be recommended.