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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07725354

Fundamental Movement Skills Training Improves Executive Functions in Preschoolers

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12-week structured fundamental movement skills (FMS) training program on executive functions in 34 healthy preschoolers aged 5-6 years. Participants were randomly assigned to an FMS training group (n = 17) or a regular physical activity control group (n = 17). The FMS group participated in two 35-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks, while the control group engaged in free play. Executive functions were assessed using the Go/No-Go, Mr. Ant, and Card Sorting tasks from the Early Years Toolbox at baseline and after the intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Preschoolers Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

5 year–6 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Yumiao Kindergarten

Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 5 and 6 years
  • Good physical health without severe cognitive or motor impairments
  • Parental or guardian consent to participate

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe cognitive impairment or neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Physical conditions unsuitable for moderate-intensity physical activity
  • Severe motor developmental delay or impairment

Treatment and study plan

Fundamental Movement Skills Training

Behavioral

Structured FMS training program including locomotor, object control, and stability skills, 2 sessions per week, 35 minutes per session for 12 weeks.

Regular Physical Activity

Behavioral

Regular physical activities including free play and simple exercises (e.g., rope jumping, ball bouncing, musical chairs), 2 sessions per week, 35 minutes per session.

Primary outcomes

  1. Working Memory - Mr. Ant Task

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

    Children were required to remember the locations of colored stickers on a cartoon ant ("Mr. Ant") and reposition them after the stickers disappeared. The task consisted of 8 levels with progressively increasing difficulty. The score was the number of levels correctly completed (range: 0-8).

  2. Inhibitory Control - Go/No-Go Task

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

    Children were instructed to tap the screen when a clownfish appeared (Go trials) and to refrain from tapping when a shark appeared (No-Go trials). The task comprised 75 trials (60 Go, 15 No-Go). The score was calculated as the product of accuracy rates on Go and No-Go trials.

  3. Cognitive Flexibility - Card Sorting Task

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

    Children were required to sort patterns (boats or rabbits) according to color or shape rules. The task comprised three phases: color sorting, shape sorting, and mixed sorting, with 6 trials per phase, totaling 18 trials. The score was the total number of correct sorts (range: 0-18).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Xi'an Physical Education University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Fundamental Movement Skills Training Improves Executive Functions in Preschoolers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: FMS-EF-RCT

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jul 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 24, 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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