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NCT Number: NCT07658404

Beyond Aerobic Fitness: Effects of Coordination and Aerobic Exercise on Executive Functions in School-Aged Children

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and coordination-based exercise on executive functions in school-aged children aged 10 to 12 years. Executive functions, including working memory and selective attention, are essential cognitive skills that support learning, academic achievement, problem-solving, and daily functioning.

A total of 78 healthy children will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: an Aerobic Exercise Group, a Coordination Exercise Group, or a Control Group. Participants in the intervention groups will complete supervised exercise sessions lasting 40 minutes, three times per week, for 14 weeks. The aerobic exercise program will include activities designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, while the coordination exercise program will involve tasks requiring motor control, balance, bilateral coordination, and cognitive engagement. Participants in the control group will continue their usual school activities without additional structured exercise.

Working memory and selective attention will be assessed before and after the intervention using standardized neuropsychological tests. The findings of this study may improve understanding of how different types of physical activity influence cognitive development in children and may help educators and health professionals design more effective school-based physical activity programs that support both physical and cognitive health.

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Key information

Conditions

Executive Functions (EF) Selective Attention Working Memory

Age range

10 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul Rumeli University

Istanbul, 34570, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged between 10 and 12 years.
  • Typically developing children without diagnosed neurological, developmental, or physical disorders.
  • Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians.
  • Child assent provided before participation.

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Presence of learning disabilities.
  • Neurological, developmental, or chronic medical conditions limiting participation in physical activity.
  • Attendance of less than 80% of the intervention sessions.
  • Occurrence of health problems during the study period that prevented continued participation.

Treatment and study plan

Aerobic Exercise Program

Behavioral

Participants completed a supervised aerobic exercise program for 14 weeks. Exercise sessions were conducted three times per week and lasted 40 minutes each. The intervention included high-intensity interval activities, sprint running, and game-based aerobic tasks designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise intensity was monitored using heart rate monitors, and participants maintained an intensity corresponding to 65% to 85% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate.

Other names: Aerobic Training

Coordination Exercise Program

Behavioral

Participants completed a supervised coordination-based exercise program for 14 weeks. Exercise sessions were conducted three times per week and lasted 40 minutes each. The intervention included jump-rope combinations, dynamic balance exercises, bilateral coordination activities, and multidirectional movement tasks requiring cognitive engagement. Exercise intensity was standardized using ratings of perceived exertion, targeting Borg scale scores between 13 and 16.

Other names: Coordination Training

Primary outcomes

  1. Working Memory

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 14

    Working memory performance will be assessed using the Visual-Auditory Digit Span Test. The test evaluates the ability to temporarily store, manipulate, and recall information through auditory and visual modalities. Higher scores indicate better working memory performance.

  2. Selective Attention

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 14

    Selective attention will be assessed using the d2 Test of Attention. Outcome measures include concentration performance, processing speed, and error rates. Higher concentration scores indicate better selective attention performance.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Motor Coordination

    Time frame: Baseline

    Motor coordination will be evaluated using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) test battery. The assessment includes balance, jumping, and movement coordination tasks, with scores converted into an overall Motor Quotient.

  2. Cardiorespiratory Fitness

    Time frame: Baseline

    Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed using the 20-meter shuttle run test. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) will be estimated from test performance.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Gelisim University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Beyond Aerobic Fitness: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Coordination and Aerobic Exercise on Executive Functions in School-Aged Children

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 22, 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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