Balance-Cognitive-Strength Training for Balance, Inhibitory Control, and Gait in Preschool Children

NCT07689474 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CISS-20231110-BCS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 65
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study evaluated whether an 8-week balance-cognitive-strength training program improved balance ability, inhibitory control, and gait performance in preschool children aged 3 to 6 years. Children completed balance tests, single-task walking tests, dual-task walking tests, and an iPad-based Go/No-Go task before and after the intervention. The intervention group received exercise-cognitive integrated training 3 times per week for 8 weeks, and the control group maintained usual daily activities.

Conditions

Motor Development; Balance; Healthy Children; Gait; Executive Function

Keywords

preschool children; balance ability; gait performance; dual task; inhibitory control; exercise-cognitive intervention; balance-cognitive-strength training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change From Baseline in Single-Task Gait Index at Week 8

  The Single-Task Gait Index was derived from gait variables measured during normal walking. Gait was assessed using a gait analysis system during single-task walking. Variables included stance time, stride time, double-support time, step width variability, loading rate, and related temporal-spatial gait parameters. Variables were standardized and direction-unified before construction of the gait index. Higher scores indicate better single-task gait performance. The change score was calculated as the post-intervention score minus the baseline score.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in Dual-Task Gait Index at Week 8

  The Dual-Task Gait Index was derived from gait variables measured while children walked and performed a concurrent cognitive task. During dual-task walking, participants walked while counting backward from 10 to 1. Variables included stance time, stride time, double-support time, step width variability, loading rate, and related temporal-spatial gait parameters. Variables were standardized and direction-unified before construction of the gait index. Higher scores indicate better gait performance under cognitive load. The change score was calculated as the post-intervention score minus the baseline score.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in Balance Composite Score at Week 8

  Balance ability was assessed using static and dynamic balance tasks on a Zebris force platform. The Balance Composite Score was constructed from standardized balance variables using principal component analysis. The composite score reflected anterior-posterior sway control, load symmetry, and dynamic postural adjustment. Negative indicators, such as center-of-pressure velocity and ellipse area, were direction-unified before score calculation. Higher scores indicate better overall balance ability. The change score was calculated as the post-intervention score minus the baseline score.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in Inhibitory Control Composite Score at Week 8

  Inhibitory control was assessed using an iPad-based Go/No-Go task from the Early Years Toolbox. Children were instructed to respond to Go stimuli and inhibit responses to No-Go stimuli. Accuracy and reaction time were standardized and direction-unified to create an inhibitory control composite score. Higher scores indicate better inhibitory control. The change score was calculated as the post-intervention score minus the baseline score.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Change From Baseline in MABC-2 Total Test Standard Score at Week 8

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in MABC-2 Manual Dexterity Component Score at Week 8

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in MABC-2 Aiming and Catching Component Score at Week 8

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in MABC-2 Balance Component Score at Week 8

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in 10-Meter Shuttle Run Time at Week 8

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Balance-Cognitive-Strength Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received an 8-week exercise-cognitive integrated training program, 3 sessions per week and 40 minutes per session. The program combined balance exercises, lower-limb strength activities, brisk walking or aerobic walking games, and embedded cognitive tasks involving counting, verbal naming, working memory, and response inhibition.

Behavioral: Balance-Cognitive-Strength Training

Usual Daily Activities

NO INTERVENTION

Participants maintained their usual kindergarten and daily physical activities during the same 8-week period and did not receive the structured balance-cognitive-strength training program.

Interventions

Balance-Cognitive-Strength Training BEHAVIORAL

The intervention was an 8-week exercise-cognitive integrated training program for preschool children. Sessions were conducted 3 times per week, 40 minutes per session, at moderate intensity. The program combined balance exercises, lower-limb strength activities, brisk walking or aerobic walking games, and embedded cognitive tasks involving counting, verbal naming, working memory, and response inhibition.

Also known as: Exercise-Cognitive Integrated Training

Balance-Cognitive-Strength Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 3 Years - 6 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 3 to 6 years.
• Children enrolled in the participating kindergarten in Weifang, China.
• Children able to understand and follow simple instructions for motor, gait, balance, and cognitive testing.
• Children able to participate in regular physical activity and complete the 8-week intervention or usual activity period.
• Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed neurological, developmental, or motor disorder.
• Serious cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, or other medical condition that would limit safe participation in physical activity.
• Lower-limb injury, deformity, or disease affecting standing, walking, balance, or jumping.
• Visual or hearing impairment that would prevent completion of the study tasks.
• Inability to complete the baseline assessments or comply with study procedures.
• Participation in another structured motor or cognitive intervention during the study period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• China institute of sport science: collaborator
• Aiyoudong Children and Youth Sports Health Research Institute: lead

Study Sites (1)

China Institute of Sport Science

Beijing, 100061, China

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking was used because participants and trainers were aware of group assignment.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: an 8-week balance-cognitive-strength training group or a usual daily activity control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 1, 2026
• First Posted: July 8, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 25, 2025
• Study Completion: February 25, 2025
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)