Strengthening Children's Coordination and Balance in Everyday Life

NCT07597720 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: A-2026-041
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 165
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The World Health Organization recommends that children and teenagers aged 5 to 17 should be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day. This should include activities that make them breathe harder, as well as exercises that strengthen muscles and bones. National guidelines in Austria and Germany also highlight the importance of basic movement skills such as endurance, strength, coordination, and balance. Regular physical activity is important for children's physical and mental health. It can help prevent problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It can also support learning, concentration, and school performance. However, many children do not move enough. In Austria and Germany, only a small number of children and teenagers meet the recommended activity levels. Because of this, many programs have been created to encourage children to be more active, for example through active breaks, park activities, or sports clubs. These programs often include simple movement games, warm-up exercises, and strengthening exercises such as squats. Balance and coordination exercises are used less often. Also, many programs mainly count how many children take part, but they do not always measure how the programs improve children's movement skills. This study therefore looks at whether targeted balance and coordination training improves the motor skills of children aged 6 to 11 in school sports. It will compare this training with strength training. Over four weeks, children will take part in one of the two training programs. Their motor skills, such as coordination, strength, flexibility, and endurance, will be tested before and after the program. The study will also look at how the children's general physical activity level influences their motor development.

Conditions

Physical Functional Performance; Physical Education and Training/Methods; Postural Balance; Child

Keywords

elementary school children; balance exercises; motor proficiency; Bruininks-Oseretsky Test; handgrip strength; physical activity questionnaire; sit and reach; six-minute run

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• The Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test 2nd Edition german version

  Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd Edition is standardized for children and adolescents aged 4 to 21 years and 11 months, and the full test takes 45 to 60 minutes to perform. The BOT-2 is used to detect deviations from the norm and to support the assessment of motor impairments, including the likelihood of a diagnosis for DCD. It measures fine and gross motor proficiency, with subtests focusing on stability, mobility, strength, coordination, and object manipulation. Results can be reported as raw scores, scale scores, composite scores, percentile ranks, or standard scores. The minimum and maximum values depend on the specific subtest or composite score used. For standard scores, higher values indicate a better result, as they reflect stronger motor proficiency compared with age-based norms. Lower values indicate greater deviation from the norm and poorer motor performance.

  At baseline and day 77

• Handgrip strength

  The Jamar Hand Dynamometer is a standardized instrument used to measure hand grip strength in children, adolescents, and adults. It is commonly used in clinical practice and research to assess upper limb strength, functional hand performance, and changes in muscle strength over time. The test is typically performed within a few minutes and involves the participant squeezing the dynamometer with maximal effort, usually across repeated trials for each hand. The result is recorded in kilograms or pounds of force. The minimum value is 0 kg/lb, if no grip force is produced. The maximum value depends on the measuring range of the specific dynamometer model, commonly up to about 90 kg or 200 lb. Higher values indicate a better result, as they reflect greater isometric hand grip strength and upper limb muscle function.

  At baseline and day 77

• Flexibility

  The Sit and Reach Test is a standardised test used to assess flexibility, particularly that of the lower back and hamstring muscles. It is commonly used with children, adolescents and adults in clinical, educational and research settings. The test is quick to administer and usually takes only a few minutes to perform. During the test, the participant sits with their legs extended and reaches forward as far as possible towards or beyond their toes. The distance reached is then measured using a sit-and-reach box or measuring scale. The result is recorded in centimetres. Depending on the test setup, values may be positive when the participant reaches beyond the toes and negative when they do not reach the toes. Therefore, there is no fixed universal minimum or maximum value, as the range depends on the measuring scale and individual performance. Higher values indicate greater flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles, and therefore a better result.

  At baseline and day 77

• Aerobic endurance

  The 6-Minute Walk/Run Test is a standardised field test used to evaluate the aerobic endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness of children, adolescents and adults. The test takes six minutes to complete. During the test, participants are instructed to walk or run as far as possible on a marked track or defined course within six minutes. The total distance covered is recorded in metres and can be compared with age- and sex-specific reference values. The minimum value is 0 metres if no distance is covered. There is no fixed maximum value as this depends on the individual's performance and the distance they complete within six minutes. Higher values indicate a better result as they reflect greater aerobic endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness and functional exercise capacity.

  At baseline and day 77

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Self-reported level of physical activity

  At baseline

Study Arms (2)

Balance Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Exercise

Strength Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Exercise

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

The balance exercise program is conducted over a four-week period and consists of two training sessions per week. Each session lasts about 30 to 35 minutes. During each session, various balance exercises are performed, with each exercise consisting of two sets of 30 seconds each. There is a 60-second rest between sets and a 90-second rest between individual exercises. The intensity of the training is adjusted by progressively increasing the level of difficulty. Initially, the exercises are performed with support and under simpler conditions, while additional challenges-such as closing the eyes, omitting arm support, or performing additional cognitive tasks-are integrated as the program progresses. The training method consists of functional balance training with static and dynamic exercises on stable and unstable surfaces (e.g., exercise mat, balance board, or balance beam).

Balance Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 11 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• \- primary school children aged 6 to 11 years

You may not qualify if:

• \- Official exemption from physical education in school

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria: lead
• Barmherzige Brüder Linz: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria

Linz, Upper Austria, 4020, Austria

Location

Related Publications (13)

• World Health Organization. (2022). Primary health care for children and adolescents: A framework for ac-tion.

  BACKGROUND

• Woll A, Kurth BM, Opper E, Worth A, Bos K. The 'Motorik-Modul' (MoMo): physical fitness and physical activity in German children and adolescents. Eur J Pediatr. 2011 Sep;170(9):1129-42. doi: 10.1007/s00431-010-1391-4. Epub 2011 Feb 12.

  PMID: 21318230 BACKGROUND

• Woll A, Klos L, Burchartz A, Hanssen-Doose A, Niessner C, Oriwol D, Schmidt SCE, Bos K, Worth A. Cohort Profile Update: The Motorik-Modul (MoMo) Longitudinal Study-physical fitness and physical activity as determinants of health development in German children and adolescents. Int J Epidemiol. 2021 May 17;50(2):393-394. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyaa281. No abstract available.

  PMID: 33709121 BACKGROUND

• Sportunion Österreich. (2007). UGOTCHI - Kinder gesund bewegen. https://ugotchi.at/

  BACKGROUND

• Pfeifer K, Rutten A. [National Recommendations for Physical Activity and Physical Activity Promotion]. Gesundheitswesen. 2017 Mar;79(S 01):S2-S3. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-123346. Epub 2017 Apr 11. No abstract available. German.

  PMID: 28399579 BACKGROUND

• Paulus, P. (Hrsg.). (2016). Bildungsförderung durch Gesundheit: Bestandsaufnahme und Perspektiven für eine gute gesunde Schule (Dr. nach Typoskript). Juventa-Verl.

  BACKGROUND

• Neil-Sztramko SE, Caldwell H, Dobbins M. School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Sep 23;9(9):CD007651. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007651.pub3.

  PMID: 34555181 BACKGROUND

• Mlinek, T. (2025, August 11). Die Tägliche Bewegungseinheit. tbe Kindergarten Volkschule Sekundasstufe I. https://www.bewegungseinheit.gv.at/volksschule/bewegte-schule

  BACKGROUND

• Hanssen-Doose, A., Oriwol, D., Niessner, C., Schmidt, S. C. E., Klemm, K., Woll, A., & Worth, A. (2021). Dauerhaftes Sporttreiben im Sportverein und motorische Entwicklung: Ergebnisse der MoMo-Längsschnitt-studie (2003-2017). Forum Kinder- und Jugendsport, 2(2), 122-130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43594-021-00054-5

  BACKGROUND

• Förderverein Nachwuchsleistungssport Tirol. (2025, August 11). MEIN KIND IM SPORT. https://www.mein-kindimsport.at/ueberblick

  BACKGROUND

• Bundesministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz. (2020, September 1). Das Be-wegungsverhalten österreichischer Schülerinnen und Schüler HBSC-Factsheet 05: Ergebnisse der HBSC-Studie 2018.

  BACKGROUND

• Chaput JP, Willumsen J, Bull F, Chou R, Ekelund U, Firth J, Jago R, Ortega FB, Katzmarzyk PT. 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years: summary of the evidence. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2020 Nov 26;17(1):141. doi: 10.1186/s12966-020-01037-z.

  PMID: 33239009 BACKGROUND

• Barbosa A, Whiting S, Simmonds P, Scotini Moreno R, Mendes R, Breda J. Physical Activity and Academic Achievement: An Umbrella Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Aug 17;17(16):5972. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17165972.

  PMID: 32824593 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator, Senior Researcher in the Department of Physical Therapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: May 19, 2026
• Study Start: February 23, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AU (1)