Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program in Primary School Physical Education

NCT07723807 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: U.A
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 176
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effects of an 8-week gamified cooperative exergaming program implemented during regular physical education lessons in primary school children. Participants were assigned by classroom to either an experimental group, which completed "The Movement League" program integrating dance-based exergames, cooperative learning, and gamification, or a control group, which received conventional physical education. The study aims to determine whether this multicomponent intervention improves motivation toward physical education, increases habitual physical activity, and reduces sedentary behavior compared with standard physical education.

Conditions

Physical Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Motivation Toward Physical Education

  Change in motivation toward physical education measured using the Perceived Locus of Causality Scale-2 (PLOC-2). The PLOC-2 assesses intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation, and amotivation. Each subscale score ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating higher levels of the corresponding motivational regulation.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Habitual Physical Activity

  Change in habitual physical activity measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The PAQ-C provides an overall activity score ranging from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating higher habitual physical activity levels.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Sedentary Behavior

  Change in sedentary behavior measured using the Adolescent Sedentary Activity Questionnaire (ASAQ). The ASAQ estimates the time spent in sedentary activities, reported in minutes (or hours) per day. Higher values indicate greater sedentary behavior (worse outcome).

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program (The Movement League)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received an 8-week gamified cooperative exergaming program ("The Movement League") delivered during regular physical education lessons (two 50-minute sessions per week). The intervention integrated dance-based exergames, cooperative learning, gamification, and symbolic rewards to promote motivation, physical activity, and reduce sedentary behavior.

Behavioral: Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program

Conventional Physical Education

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received the school's standard physical education curriculum for 8 weeks (two 50-minute sessions per week), using conventional teaching methods and activities without exergames, gamification, or structured cooperative learning components.

Other: Conventional Physical Education

Interventions

Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program BEHAVIORAL

Experimental Group: An 8-week behavioral intervention delivered during regular physical education lessons (two 50-minute sessions per week; 16 sessions in total). The program integrated dance-based exergaming, cooperative learning, gamification, and symbolic rewards within a structured pedagogical framework. Sessions included choreographed exergames, cooperative motor challenges, progressive narrative levels, and group-based goals designed to promote autonomous motivation toward physical education, increase habitual physical activity, and reduce sedentary behavior in primary school children.

Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program (The Movement League)

Conventional Physical Education OTHER

Standard school physical education delivered over 8 weeks (two 50-minute sessions per week) using the regular curriculum and conventional teaching methods. Classes included traditional physical education activities without exergaming, gamification, or structured cooperative learning strategies.

Conventional Physical Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 8 to 12 years.
• Enrolled in grades 3 to 6 of primary school.
• Able to participate safely in regular physical education classes.
• Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
• Verbal assent provided by the participant.

You may not qualify if:

• Physical pathology or medical contraindication preventing safe participation in physical activity.
• Formal diagnosis of severe learning difficulties or developmental disorders.
• Failure to complete the outcome assessments at both baseline and post-intervention.
• Attendance at fewer than 14 of the 16 intervention sessions (less than 85% adherence).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Jaén: lead

Study Sites (1)

Primary school

Jaén, 23007, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 20, 2026
• First Posted: July 23, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 26, 2026
• Study Completion: April 2, 2026
• Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

ES (1)