Effects of an 8-Week Play-Based Motor Training Program on Motor Competence, Cognitive Test Performance, and Parent-Rated Executive Function in Children Aged 7-10 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 80
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- MABC-2 Total Score
Study Overview
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.
Detailed Description
The study was conducted during the 2025-2026 academic year in Dongchuan District, Yunnan Province, China. The sampling frame comprised approximately 100 children (50 boys and 50 girls) from four eligible classes across two primary schools. One hundred children were randomly selected by lottery for eligibility assessment. Twenty children were excluded before allocation: twelve because of physical or motor conditions that did not meet eligibility requirements, six because parental consent was not provided, and two because child assent was not obtained.
The remaining 80 eligible participants (40 boys and 40 girls) were individually randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or control group using a computer-generated random allocation sequence. Allocation was concealed using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes prepared independently and opened after completion of baseline assessments.
The intervention group received an 8-week structured play-based motor-training program comprising 24 sessions, with three 60-minute sessions per week. Sessions included social interaction, warm-up, play-based motor activities, cool-down, and feedback. Main activities included coordinated movement with children's rhymes, animal-imitation games, running, jumping, throwing, rolling, and ball activities. The control group continued usual physical education twice weekly for approximately 40 minutes per session.
MABC-2 and Kay assessments were conducted by an independent trained assessor blinded to group allocation. Parents completing the BRIEF were not blinded. The primary outcome was the MABC-2 total score. Kay total score and BRIEF mean item score were treated as exploratory secondary outcomes. All 80 randomized participants completed posttest assessment. No serious or intervention-related adverse events were reported.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 7 Years to 10 Years (Child)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •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
Exclusion Criteria
- •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
Arms & Interventions
Structured Play-Based Motor Training
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.
Intervention: Structured Play-Based Motor Training Program (Behavioral)
Usual Physical Education
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.
Intervention: Usual Physical Education (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
MABC-2 Total Score
Time Frame: Baseline and approximately 9 weeks after baseline (one week after completion of the 8-week intervention)
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.
Secondary Outcomes
- 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)
Investigators
Zinat Ebrahimi
Assistant Professor
Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj