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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07724015

Gamified 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. School Engagement

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

    Change in school engagement measured using the School Engagement Measure (SEM), including behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement, as well as the overall school engagement score. Higher scores indicate greater engagement with the teaching-learning process.

  2. Academic Self-Efficacy

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

    Change in self-efficacy measured using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), including academic, social, and emotional self-efficacy, as well as the overall self-efficacy score. Higher scores indicate greater perceived self-efficacy.

  3. Academic Achievement

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

    Change in academic achievement assessed using official school grades in Spanish Language and Literature, Mathematics, Natural, Social and Cultural Sciences, and Physical Education, together with the overall grade point average obtained before and after the intervention.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Jaén

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of a Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program on Motivation, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior in Primary School Physical Education: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 23, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 23, 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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