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

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.