Clinical trial NCT06834620: School-Based Physical Education Program and Its Effects on Motor Fitness in Malaysian Children
Official title: Impact of a Novel Primary School-based Physical Education Program on Physical and Motor Fitness of Malaysian Children: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Physical Fitness
Child Development
Exercise Intervention
Childhood Obesity
Physical Inactivity in Children
Keywords: Physical Education
Motor Fitness
Exercise Program
Lead sponsor: Hellenic Naval Academy
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
First posted: 2025-02-19
Enrollment: 80
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 8
Maximum age (years): 8
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of a standard school physical education program (SPEP) and a rhythmic and gymnastic activities-based school physical education program (RGPEP) on the physical and motor fitness parameters of Malaysian primary school children.

Detailed description: This randomized controlled trial evaluates the impact of two distinct physical education programs on the physical and motor fitness of Malaysian primary school children. The intervention group participates in a rhythmic and gymnastic activities-based physical education program (RGPEP), designed to enhance balance, coordination, flexibility, and agility through structured, progressive activities. The control group follows the standard school physical education program (SPEP) in line with the national curriculum, which emphasizes general fitness and physical activity without specific rhythmic or gymnastic components.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Children aged 8 years at the time of enrollment.
* Both boys and girls.
* Regular school attendance during the academic year.
* No diagnosed health conditions or chronic diseases that could interfere with physical activity.
* Not involved in extracurricular sports activities outside the school environment.
* Not engaged in extra traveling to and from school on foot or by bicycle.
* Parents or legal guardians provided written informed consent.
* The child provided verbal assent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Children missing more than 20% of scheduled physical education classes.
* Overweight children with a BMI ≥ 23 kg/m².
* Underweight children with a BMI \< 18.5 kg/m².
* Children involved in regular sports training or participation in extracurricular sports activities during the intervention period.
* Children with any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries that could limit participation in physical activities.
* Children with developmental or motor impairments affecting their ability to perform the required fitness activities.
* Children on any medication that could interfere with their performance or physical fitness evaluation.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Standing Broad Jump
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
measure: 20-Meter Sprint
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
measure: 4 × 10-Meter Shuttle Run
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
measure: Push-Ups
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
measure: Sit and Reach Test
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
measure: Multistage Shuttle Run Test
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Height
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
measure: Weight
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
measure: Body Mass Index
timeFrame: Baseline (Month 0) and Post-Intervention (Month 12).
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
References: