School-Based Physical Education Program and Its Effects on Motor Fitness in Malaysian Children

NCT06834620 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: Hellenic Naval AcademyPNURSP2025R424
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of a standard school physical education program (SPEP) and a rhythmic and gymnastic activities-based school physical education program (RGPEP) on the physical and motor fitness parameters of Malaysian primary school children.

Conditions

Physical Fitness; Child Development; Exercise Intervention; Childhood Obesity; Physical Inactivity in Children

Keywords

Physical Education; Motor Fitness; Exercise Program

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Standing Broad Jump

  The standing broad jump test measures lower body power in centimeters. Participants will perform a jump from a standing position, and the longest distance recorded will be used for analysis.

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

• 20-Meter Sprint

  Sprint speed will be assessed using a 20-meter sprint test. The time taken (in seconds) to complete the distance will be recorded.

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

• 4 × 10-Meter Shuttle Run

  Agility and speed will be measured using a 4 × 10-meter shuttle run test. Time to complete the test (in seconds) will be recorded.

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

• Push-Ups

  Upper body endurance will be assessed using the push-up test. The number of correctly executed push-ups performed will be recorded.

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

• Sit and Reach Test

  Flexibility will be assessed using the sit and reach test. The maximum reach distance (in centimeters) will be recorded.

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

• Multistage Shuttle Run Test

  Cardiovascular endurance will be measured using the multistage shuttle run test. VO₂max (mL/kg/min) will be estimated based on performance.

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Height

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

• Weight

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

• Body Mass Index

  Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).

Study Arms (2)

Rhythmic and Gymnastics-Based Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received 80 sessions of a Rhythmic and Gymnastics-Based Physical Education Program (RGPEP) over an academic year. The program focused on rhythmic skills, gymnastics patterns, and movement-based activities designed to enhance motor and physical fitness.

Behavioral: Rhythmic and Gymnastic Activities-Based School Physical Education Program

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm followed the standard Malaysian school physical education curriculum, which included 60 minutes of physical education and 30 minutes of health education per week, as prescribed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education.

Behavioral: Rhythmic and Gymnastic Activities-Based School Physical Education Program

Interventions

Rhythmic and Gymnastic Activities-Based School Physical Education Program BEHAVIORAL

A structured, year-long school-based physical education program integrating rhythmic movements, gymnastics, and small equipment exercises designed to enhance motor and physical fitness. The program included 80 sessions (two per week) focusing on rhythmic activities such as twisting, partner balance, animal walks, tumbling, and rope exercises. The intervention aimed to improve strength, flexibility, agility, and cardiovascular endurance compared to traditional physical education classes.

Control group; Rhythmic and Gymnastics-Based Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 8 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 8 years at the time of enrollment.
• Both boys and girls.
• Regular school attendance during the academic year.
• No diagnosed health conditions or chronic diseases that could interfere with physical activity.
• Not involved in extracurricular sports activities outside the school environment.
• Not engaged in extra traveling to and from school on foot or by bicycle.
• Parents or legal guardians provided written informed consent.
• The child provided verbal assent to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Children missing more than 20% of scheduled physical education classes.
• Overweight children with a BMI ≥ 23 kg/m².
• Underweight children with a BMI \< 18.5 kg/m².
• Children involved in regular sports training or participation in extracurricular sports activities during the intervention period.
• Children with any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries that could limit participation in physical activities.
• Children with developmental or motor impairments affecting their ability to perform the required fitness activities.
• Children on any medication that could interfere with their performance or physical fitness evaluation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hellenic Naval Academy: lead
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pediatric Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Obesity; Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, Hellenic Naval Academy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2025
• First Posted: February 19, 2025
• Study Start: February 14, 2015
• Primary Completion: February 14, 2016
• Study Completion: February 14, 2016
• Last Updated: February 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-01