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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07724002

Gamified Exergaming Program in Primary School

This study evaluates the effects of an 8-week gamified cooperative exergaming program implemented during regular physical education lessons in primary school children. Participants were assigned by classroom to either an experimental group, which completed "The Movement League" program integrating dance-based exergames, cooperative learning, and gamification, or a control group, which received conventional physical education. The study aims to determine whether this multicomponent intervention improves motivation toward physical education, increases habitual physical activity, and reduces sedentary behavior compared with standard physical education.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Activity Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

8 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Primary School

Jaén, Spain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged 8 to 12 years.
  • Enrolled in grades 3 to 6 of primary school.
  • Able to participate safely in regular physical education classes.
  • Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
  • Verbal assent provided by the participant.

Exclusion criteria

  • Physical pathology or medical contraindication preventing safe participation in physical activity.
  • Formal diagnosis of severe learning difficulties or developmental disorders.
  • Failure to complete the outcome assessments at both baseline and post-intervention.
  • Attendance at fewer than 14 of the 16 intervention sessions (less than 85% adherence).

Treatment and study plan

Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program

Behavioral

An 8-week behavioral intervention delivered during regular physical education lessons (two 50-minute sessions per week; 16 sessions in total). The program integrated dance-based exergaming, cooperative learning, gamification, and symbolic rewards within a structured pedagogical framework. Sessions included choreographed exergames, cooperative motor challenges, progressive narrative levels, and group-based goals designed to promote autonomous motivation toward physical education, increase habitual physical activity, and reduce sedentary behavior in primary school children.

Conventional Physical Education

Other

Standard school physical education delivered over 8 weeks (two 50-minute sessions per week) using the regular curriculum and conventional teaching methods. Classes included traditional physical education activities without exergaming, gamification, or structured cooperative learning strategies.

Primary outcomes

  1. Health-Related Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

    Change in health-related quality of life measured using the KIDSCREEN-10 Index. The questionnaire assesses overall physical, psychological, and social well-being experienced during the previous week, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life and perceived well-being.

  2. Sleep Quality

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

    Change in sleep quality measured using the Sleep Self Report (SSR). The questionnaire evaluates sleep duration, sleep onset difficulties, night awakenings, daytime sleepiness, sleep schedule regularity, and perceived sleep quality. Higher scores indicate greater sleep-related problems.

  3. Psychosocial Functioning

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

    Change in psychosocial functioning measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), including emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, prosocial behavior, and the total difficulties score.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Jaén

Other

Registry information

Official study title

BEYOND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: INTEGRATING EXERGAMING, GAMIFICATION, AND COOPERATIVE LEARNING IMPROVES CHILDREN'S HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, SLEEP QUALITY, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 23, 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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