Gamified Exergaming Program in Primary School

NCT07724002 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: U.AC3
• 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)

• Health-Related Quality of Life

  Change in health-related quality of life measured using the KIDSCREEN-10 Index. The questionnaire assesses overall physical, psychological, and social well-being experienced during the previous week, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life and perceived well-being.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Sleep Quality

  Change in sleep quality measured using the Sleep Self Report (SSR). The questionnaire evaluates sleep duration, sleep onset difficulties, night awakenings, daytime sleepiness, sleep schedule regularity, and perceived sleep quality. Higher scores indicate greater sleep-related problems.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Psychosocial Functioning

  Change in psychosocial functioning measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), including emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, prosocial behavior, and the total difficulties score.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Experimental: Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program

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

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

Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program BEHAVIORAL

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.

Experimental: Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program

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, 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)