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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07769411

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Fitness Behavior Cognitive Function Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–20 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology

Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212100, China

About this study

This study was designed as a 12-week cluster-randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of dance participation on physical fitness and cognitive function among female college students. Participants were recruited from two intact physical education classes at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. A total of 108 eligible first-year female students participated in the study.

Randomization was performed at the class level. The two intact classes were randomly allocated to either the experimental group (n=54) or the control group (n=54). The experimental group participated in a structured dance intervention during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The dance program emphasized rhythmic movement, repeated practice of dance steps and turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines. The control group continued the regular university physical education program, which included activities such as running, ball games, and general fitness exercises.

Physical fitness and cognitive function were assessed before and after the intervention. Physical fitness assessments included lung capacity, sit-and-reach flexibility, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run. Cognitive assessments included the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The study compared changes from baseline to post-intervention between the experimental and control groups.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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.

Exclusion criteria

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.

Failure to meet the inclusion criteria or refusal to participate before allocation.

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Lung Capacity

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

    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.

  2. Change in Sit-and-Reach Flexibility

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

    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.

  3. Change in Standing Long Jump

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

    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.

  4. Change in 50-Meter Sprint Performance

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

    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.

  5. Change in 1000-Meter Run Performance

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

    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.

  6. Change in Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) Score

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

    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.

  7. Change in Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) Score

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

    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.

  8. Change in Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) Score

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

    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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Dance on Cognitive Function and Physical Fitness Among Female College Students

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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