Play-Based Motor Programme and Child Development Outcomes in Pre-Adolescent Boys
Child Development · Motor Skills · Motor Skills Development · Cognitive Processing
What this study involves
The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Age range
- 10 years - 12 years
- Sex eligible
- Male
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Participants
- 160 Actual
These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.
About the research
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an 8-week play-based motor programme helps improve motor skills, thinking skills, and executive functioning in pre-adolescent boys (ages 10 to 12). The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does the programme improve motor skills (such as balance, catching, and hand dexterity)?
- Does the programme improve thinking skills and executive functioning (such as memory and self-control)?
Researchers will compare boys who take part in the programme to boys who do standard physical education to see if the programme works.
Participants will:
- Take part in a play-based motor programme 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Each session lasts 60 minutes.
- Be assigned to one of the two groups by chance (like flipping a coin).
- Complete motor and thinking tests at the start and end of the study. Parents will also fill out a questionnaire about their child's behavior.
Read the full description
This is a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) following CONSORT 2010 reporting guidelines. The study evaluates whether an 8-week play-based motor programme can improve motor proficiency, cognitive processing, and executive functioning (EF) in pre-adolescent boys.
Participants and Randomization: A total of 80 boys aged 10-12 years (Grades 4-6) from two single-sex primary schools will be recruited. Students will be block-randomized (block size 4) to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Allocation will be generated using a computer-based sequence. The primary outcome is motor proficiency, with cognitive processing and EF as secondary outcomes.
Intervention: The intervention group will receive an 8-week play-based motor programme delivered by trained physical education teachers three times per week (60 min per session; 24 sessions in total). Each session includes a 10-min warm-up (dynamic stretching and locomotor games), a 40-min main activity phase (animal-imitation locomotion, ball-skill circuits, and cooperative balance challenges), and a 10-min cool-down. The control group will continue their regular physical education curriculum with no additional motor programming.
Outcome Measures: Motor proficiency will be assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). Cognitive processing will be measured using the Kay Cognitive-Diagnostic Test. Executive functioning will be indexed using the parent-report Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). All instruments will be administered at pre-test (Week 0) and post-test (Week 9).
Statistical Analysis Plan: All analyses will be conducted in IBM SPSS Statistics version 25. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) will be used, with pre-test scores as covariates, to examine the simultaneous multivariate group effect. Follow-up separate one-way ANCOVAs, each controlling for the respective pre-test score, will be conducted for all outcome variables. Effect sizes will be reported as partial eta-squared (ηp²).
Who may be able to participate?
The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.
Inclusion Criteria:
\- 1. Male sex. 2. Age 10-12 years. 3. Enrolled in a single-sex primary school. 4. Absence of neurological, orthopedic, or developmental disorder precluding participation.
5\. Parental written consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- 1\. Chronic illness requiring regular medication. 2. Prior involvement in a motor training programme within six months. 3. Incomplete baseline assessments.
Treatment, groups and participation
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- Assignment
- Random assignment
- Masking
- Single masked
Play-Based Motor Programme
Participants receive an 8-week play-based motor programme (3 times per week, 60 min/session). Sessions include a 10-min warm-up, a 40-min main activity phase with motor-enriched games (animal-imitation locomotion, ball-skill circuits, cooperative balance challenges), and a 10-min cool-down. Progressive overload is achieved by increasing task complexity and reducing external support.
Behavioral: Structured Play-Based Motor Programme
Standard Physical Education
Participants continue their regular physical education curriculum with no additional motor programming.
Behavioral: Standard Physical Education Curriculum
Structured Play-Based Motor Programme BEHAVIORAL
An 8-week play-based motor programme delivered three times per week (24 sessions in total, 60 min per session). Focuses on motor-enriched games including animal-imitation locomotion, ball-skill circuits, and cooperative balance challenges.
Standard Physical Education Curriculum BEHAVIORAL
The standard physical education curriculum delivered in schools, without additional motor programming.
What researchers are measuring
Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.
Primary measures
Motor Proficiency Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 9)
Motor proficiency is assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) Age Band 2. It yields three component scores (Manual Dexterity, Aiming \& Catching, Balance) and a Total Standard Score. Higher scores indicate better motor proficiency.
Secondary measures
Cognitive Processing and Executive Function Scores
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 9)
Cognitive processing is measured with the Kay Cognitive-Diagnostic Test (Concept Formation, Symbolic Thinking, Socialization of Thought, Attention/Psychomotor Speed). Executive functioning is indexed by the parent-report Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), yielding eight subscales and three composite indices (BRI, MI, GEC). For the BRIEF, lower scores indicate better EF.
Review the complete result tables and limitations in the official record.
Open official results ↗Research locations (1)
The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.
1 locations
Physical Education Department, Weifang UniversityWeifang, Shandong, ChinaStatus unknown
Study team and timeline
- Lead sponsor
- Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj
- Study start
- Jan 10, 2026 Actual
- Primary completion
- Mar 15, 2026 Actual
- Study completion
- Mar 30, 2026 Actual
- First posted
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
- Last updated
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
Official study contacts
No central contact is listed. Check the locations and the official record.
Official study title
Play-Based Motor Intervention Improves Motor Proficiency, Cognitive Processing, and Executive Functioning in Pre-Adolescent Boys: A Randomised Controlled Trial With Sub-Scale Profiling
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Information is submitted by sponsors and investigators. NLM does not approve the safety or science of all listed studies. Registry disclaimer.
Retrieved: Nov 12, 2026 · Last registry update: Nov 10, 2026