Play-Based Motor Training in Children Aged 7-10 Years

NCT07771959 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PBMT-DONGCHUAN-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of an 8-week structured play-based motor training program on motor competence in children (boys and girls) aged 7-10 years. Eighty eligible participants (40 boys and 40 girls) were individually randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group or a usual physical-education control group. The intervention consisted of 24 play-based motor-training sessions delivered three times per week for 60 minutes, whereas the control group continued usual physical education twice per week for 40 minutes. The primary outcome was motor competence assessed using the MABC-2 total score. Cognitive test performance measured using the Kay Cognitive-Diagnostic Test and parent-rated executive-function difficulties measured using the BRIEF Parent Form were exploratory secondary outcomes. Posttest outcomes were compared between groups using ANCOVA with the corresponding baseline score as a covariate. This study record was created retrospectively after completion of the study.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers; Child Development

Keywords

play-based motor training; motor competence; MABC-2; children; executive function; cognitive performanc; physical education; motor skills

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• MABC-2 Total Score

  Motor competence was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2), using the age-appropriate Age Band 2 procedures. The MABC-2 total score was used as the primary motor-performance outcome. Higher scores indicate better motor performance. The primary statistical comparison used posttest scores adjusted for the corresponding baseline score using ANCOVA.

  Baseline and approximately 9 weeks after baseline (one week after completion of the 8-week intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Kay Cognitive-Diagnostic Test Total Score

  Baseline and approximately 9 weeks after baseline

• BRIEF Parent-Form Mean Item Score

  Baseline and approximately 9 weeks after baseline

Study Arms (2)

Structured Play-Based Motor Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received an 8-week structured play-based motor-training program consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week (24 sessions; 1,440 planned minutes). Each session included 5 minutes of social/introductory activity, 5 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of play-based motor activities, 5 minutes of cool-down, and 5 minutes of feedback.

Behavioral: Structured Play-Based Motor Training Program

Usual Physical Education

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants continued their usual school physical-education program consisting of two approximately 40-minute sessions per week, including general fitness activities, running, stretching, and simple recreational games, without the structured play-based motor-training protocol.

Behavioral: Usual Physical Education

Interventions

Structured Play-Based Motor Training Program BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the intervention arm received an 8-week structured play-based motor training program delivered three times per week for 60 minutes per session, for a total of 24 sessions. Each session followed a standardized 60-minute format consisting of 5 minutes of social/introductory interaction, 5 minutes of warm-up activities, 40 minutes of structured play-based motor activities, 5 minutes of cool-down, and 5 minutes of feedback. The main activity component included coordinated movements accompanied by children's rhymes, animal-imitation games, and fundamental motor activities such as running, jumping, throwing, rolling, and simple ball-handling tasks. Activities were delivered in a game-based format and emphasized active participation, movement exploration, coordination, and repeated practice of fundamental movement skills. The intervention replaced the participants' usual physical-education sessions during the study period.

Structured Play-Based Motor Training

Usual Physical Education BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the control arm continued their usual school physical-education program throughout the 8-week study period. Usual physical education was delivered twice per week for approximately 40 minutes per session and included general fitness activities, running, stretching, and simple recreational games. The control program did not include the structured play-based motor training protocol, the standardized 5+5+40+5+5 session format, or the systematic motor-practice activities used in the intervention arm. Control sessions were scheduled separately from the intervention sessions, and control participants did not observe the structured intervention activities.

Usual Physical Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 10 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 7-10 years
• Enrolled in one of the eligible primary-school classes included in the study sampling frame
• Able to participate in regular school physical-education and play-based motor activities
• Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian Child assent provided

You may not qualify if:

• A physical or motor condition that prevented safe or effective participation in the intervention or assessments
• Parental or guardian consent not provided
• Child assent not provided

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj: lead
• Islamic Azad University of Mashhad: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Dongchuan, Yunnan, China

Dongchuan, Yunnan, 654100, China

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: MABC-2 and Kay assessments were conducted by an independent trained assessor who was blinded to participants' group allocation. Participants and the physical-education teacher delivering the intervention could not be blinded because of the behavioral nature of the intervention. Parents completing the BRIEF were aware of study procedures and were not blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Two-arm, parallel-group, individually randomized controlled study.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2026
• First Posted: August 19, 2026
• Study Start: February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 20, 2026
• Study Completion: July 7, 2026
• Last Updated: October 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

CN (1)