Effects of a 12-Week Dance Intervention on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function in Female College Students

NCT07769411 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: JUST-DANCE-2026-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 108
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week dance intervention on physical fitness and cognitive function in female college students. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 108 first-year female college students from two intact physical education classes. The two classes were assigned to either a dance intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a 12-week dance program during university physical education classes, while participants in the control group continued their regular physical education program. Physical fitness was assessed using lung capacity, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run tests. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Assessments were conducted before and after the 12-week intervention to compare changes between the two groups.

Conditions

Physical Fitness; Cognitive Function

Keywords

Dance; Female College Students; Exercise; Physical Fitness; Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial; Cognitive Function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Change in Lung Capacity

  Lung capacity was measured in milliliters (mL) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Higher values indicate greater lung capacity. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

• Change in Sit-and-Reach Flexibility

  Sit-and-reach performance was measured in centimeters (cm) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Higher values indicate greater flexibility. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

• Change in Standing Long Jump

  Standing long jump performance was measured in centimeters (cm) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Greater distance indicates better lower-limb explosive power. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

• Change in 50-Meter Sprint Performance

  The 50-meter sprint was used to assess running speed and was recorded in seconds (s). Lower completion times indicate better sprint performance. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

• Change in 1000-Meter Run Performance

  The 1000-meter run was used to assess endurance performance and was recorded in minutes (min). Lower completion times indicate better endurance performance. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

• Change in Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) Score

  The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) consists of 25 items assessing everyday lapses in attention, memory, and action. Higher scores indicate more frequent cognitive failures. Change in total score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

• Change in Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) Score

  The Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) consists of 14 items assessing working memory and inhibitory control. Higher scores indicate poorer executive functioning. Change in total score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

• Change in Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) Score

  The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) was used to assess processing speed and attention. Participants matched digits with corresponding symbols within 90 seconds. Higher scores indicate better processing speed and attention. Change in score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Dance Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received a structured 12-week dance intervention during university physical education classes. The program included rhythmic movement, repeated practice of dance steps and turns, coordination exercises, expressive movement, and short dance routines.

Behavioral: 12-Week Dance Intervention

Regular Physical Education Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group continued the regular university physical education program during the 12-week study period, including running, ball games, fitness drills, and general skill practice.

Behavioral: Regular Physical Education

Interventions

12-Week Dance Intervention BEHAVIORAL

A structured dance program delivered during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The intervention focused on rhythmic movement, dance steps, turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines.

Dance Intervention Group

Regular Physical Education BEHAVIORAL

Participants continued their regular university physical education program during the 12-week study period, including running, ball games, fitness drills, and general skill practice.

Regular Physical Education Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female students aged 18-20 years. First-year college students enrolled in one of the two participating physical education classes.
• No formal dance training during the previous six months. Medically able to participate in moderate-intensity exercise, as confirmed by the university annual health screening.
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed neurological or psychological disorders that could affect cognitive testing.
• Major musculoskeletal injuries that could interfere with participation in physical activity.
• Cardiovascular conditions or other contraindications that could make exercise unsafe.
• Language or cognitive difficulties preventing valid completion of questionnaires or cognitive tests.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Jiangsu University of Science and Technology: lead

Study Sites (1)

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology

Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212100, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study used a cluster-randomized, parallel-group design. Two intact physical education classes were randomized at the class level to either a 12-week dance intervention group or a regular physical education control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 14, 2026
• First Posted: August 18, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 2, 2026
• Study Completion: June 2, 2026
• Last Updated: August 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: De-identified IPD and the study protocol will be available following publication of the primary study results and for as long as the data are retained in accordance with institutional requirements.
• Access Criteria: Data will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author for legitimate scientific purposes. Requests should include a brief research proposal describing the purpose and planned analyses. Access will be subject to review by the research team and applicable ethical and institutional requirements. Shared data will be de-identified and must not be used to attempt to identify individual participants.

Locations

CN (1)