Primary School StudentsRenewNCT07313267
Intervention With Alternative Sports for Physical and Mental Improvement in Primary School Children
A study testing Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football)) and Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculum in people with Primary School Students and Healthy, run by Universidad Católica del Maule at 1 site in Chile.
Trial summary
The objective of this clinical trial is to determine whether a school-based intervention involving alternative sports can improve physical fitness, motor skills, and psychological well-being in elementary school students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 11 to 12 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Primary School Students, Healthy
- What is being tested?
- Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football)) and Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculum
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 210 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChile
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to 12 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 11 to 12 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
The inclusion criteria for participants are as follows:
- Be enrolled in the assigned school.
- Have no motor problems that prevent participation in the physical activities proposed for the development of alternative sports.
- Have completed ≥ 85% of the sessions. The exclusion criteria
- Not having taken the initial or final tests.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of an Intervention Programme Using Alternative Sports for the Recovery of Motor Learning and the Improvement of Physical and Mental Health in Primary School Students.
The objective of this clinical trial is to determine whether a school-based intervention involving alternative sports can improve physical fitness, motor skills, and psychological well-being in elementary school students. The main question to be answered is:
Can participating in a physical intervention involving alternative sports help children improve their strength, speed, endurance, motor skills, and enjoyment of physical activity? For 8 weeks, during physical education classes, researchers will compare an intervention with alternative sports (korfball, flag football, kin-ball, and ultimate frisbee) with the usual classes that students receive according to their study program, to see if alternative sports improve physical and psychological aspects.
Read more
Participants must:
- Perform physical and motor tests to determine their initial physical condition
- Complete a questionnaire to determine their level of enjoyment during physical activity.
- Actively participate in an 8-week intervention during physical education classes.
- Monitor their level of physical activity during classes using a device (accelerometer).
- Authorize the use of their first semester grades.
- At the end of the intervention, physical and motor tests will be performed again to assess progress and physical changes.
For eight weeks, researchers will conduct a study in physical education classes to compare two types of teaching: one based on alternative sports (such as korfball, flag football, kin-ball, and ultimate frisbee) and another with traditional school program classes to see if children improve physically and psychologically.
Read the detailed description
The RENUEVATE study is a randomized controlled cluster trial with a parallel group design and repeated measurements, developed using a quantitative approach. The study follows the CONSORT guidelines for randomized cluster trials and has been approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Catholic University of Maule, Chile (Resolution No. 112/2025). All procedures comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Randomization is performed at the educational establishment level in order to reduce the risk of contamination between participants. Three urban establishments in the city of Talca, Chile, representative of different administrative and socioeconomic contexts (municipal and privately subsidized), are randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). In each establishment, one sixth-grade class is assigned to the IG and another to the CG, making a total of six clusters.
Participants in the intervention group receive the RENUEVATE program, a school physical activity intervention integrated into regular physical education classes. The program is implemented during the academic period by previously trained physical education teachers, using a standardized manual that ensures the fidelity of the intervention. Teachers receive initial training and periodic supervision from the research team.
The intervention is based on the use of alternative sports (flag football, ultimate frisbee, korfball, and kin-ball), selected for their ability to promote moderate to vigorous physical activity, motor skill development, cooperation, inclusion, and gender equality. Each session follows a standardized structure that includes warm-up, main development, and cool-down phases, prescribing the intensity necessary to achieve adequate levels of physical effort during the central phase. The fidelity and dose of the intervention are monitored through session records, subjective perception of effort, and heart rate monitoring in a subsample of participants.
The control group continues with the regular physical education curriculum taught by the school, without modifications or exposure to the intervention content, participating only in pre- and post-intervention assessments.
Assessments are conducted at two points in time: before the start of the intervention (baseline) and at the end of the program, during the school day and by previously trained assessors, ideally blinded to group assignment. Primary and secondary outcomes include variables of physical fitness, motor skills, physical activity levels, body composition, enjoyment of physical activity, and health-related quality of life, assessed using validated instruments widely used in children. A detailed description of the variables and measurement instruments is presented in the corresponding sections of the registry.
The sample size was estimated to detect a clinically relevant difference in the percentage of body fat between groups, considering the cluster design and an expected intraclass correlation. Statistical analysis will be performed under the intention-to-treat principle, using mixed-effects models that allow for the hierarchical structure of the data and repeated measurements over time, adjusting for baseline values and relevant covariates. The procedures for handling missing data and sensitivity analyses are predefined in the study protocol.
- Conditions
- Primary School Students, Healthy
- Being tested
- Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football)), Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculum
- Keywords
- physical fitness, motor skills, children, physical interventions, alternative sports
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football))Other
The RENUÉVATE intervention will be implemented by previously trained physical education teachers. It will last for two months, with sessions held twice a week. The sessions will take place during the school day, in physical education classes, and will last 90 minutes. Each two-week block will be dedicated to an alternative team sport (flag football, ultimate frisbee, korfball, and kin-ball). The physical load for each session is as follows:
Warm-up (15 min): general mobility and specific exercises to prepare for the sport in question, maintaining an intensity of 50-60% HRmax; RPE 9-11.
Main part (65 min): practice of the alternative sport through games and technical/tactical progressions. An intensity of 65-80% HRmax will be prescribed; RPE 12-15, with active breaks between tasks.
Cool down (10 min): relaxation, stretching, and group reflection activities with a light intensity <50% HRmax; RPE ≤ 9.
Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculumOther
The intervention will be implemented by physical education teachers who have been trained in the project's objectives, methodology, and values. The training will include a standardized manual and a two-hour weekly practical session to ensure fidelity in the program's implementation. In addition, weekly monitoring meetings will be held with the research team to resolve questions and ensure consistency across schools.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention with alternative sports | Experimental | The experimental group will hold 90-minute sessions twice a week for two months. Each two-week block will be dedicated to an alternative sport (flag football, ultimate frisbee, korfball, and kin-ball). Receives: Other: Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football)) |
| Control Group, traditional classes. | Active comparator | The control group (CG) will only participate in the initial and final evaluations, continuing with their traditional physical education classes without modifications, distributed in two weekly sessions of 90 minutes each.
The classes incorporate sports and motor activities that involve collaborative sports and games. Receives: Other: Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculum |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Motor competence
It will be assessed using the Motorishe Basiskompetenzen (MOBAK) battery, which evaluates body control (balance, rolling, jumping) and object control (throwing, catching, bouncing, dribbling), used in schoolchildren aged 10 to 12.
For throwing and catching tasks, children have 6 attempts (no trial attempts), in which the number of successes, i.e., successful attempts, is recorded. These are then scored: 0 to 2 successes, 0 points; 3 to 4 successes, 1 point; and 5 to 6 successes, 2 points. For the tasks of driving with the hand, driving with the foot, balancing, rolling, jumping, and running. Children have 2 attempts to complete the task (no trial attempts). The scoring of these tests is based on a dichotomous scale (0 = not achieved, 1 = achieved), in which the number of successful attempts is recorded (never achieved = 0 points; achieved once = 1 point; achieved twice = 2 points).
The score from 0 to 8 determines the level of basic motor skills in a differentiated manner.
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Cardiorespiratory capacity
Cardiorespiratory capacity will be assessed, using tests that have been widely validated in school populations: For cardiorespiratory capacity, a 6-minute walk test will be used to estimate VO₂max.
Measured: A measurement will be taken at the start of the intervention on day 1 (pre-test) and another assessment will be carried out at the end of the intervention on day 16 (post-test).
Muscle strength (Lower Limb )
Lower limb muscle strength will be assessed using tests that have been widely validated in school populations: the Bosco Test (squat jump (SJ) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) on a force platform.
Measured: A measurement will be taken at the start of the intervention on day 1 (pre-test) and another assessment will be carried out at the end of the intervention on day 16 (post-test).
Muscle Strength (Upper Limb)
Grip strength will be assessed using a Camry EH101 hydraulic dynamometer, which is known for its high accuracy.
Measured: A measurement will be taken at the start of the intervention, on Day 1 (pre-test), and another assessment will be conducted at the end of the intervention, on Day 16 (post-test).
Enjoyment
Enjoyment of physical activity was assessed using the Spanish version of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). This scale consists of 16 items. Responses were collected on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree). The score is obtained by calculating the average of the 16 items.
The total score ranges from 16 to 80, with higher values indicating greater enjoyment.
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Secondary outcomes (8)
Body Composition (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis)
Name of the measure: Body fat percentage Description: Body composition will be assessed using eight-electrode tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance analysis with the InBody 570® device. The outcome corresponds to body fat percentage obtained according to the manufacturer's standardized measurement protocol.
Unit of measure: Percentage (%) Range: 0 to 100 percent. Direction of outcome: Lower values indicate a better outcome.
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test)
Morphological variables (Body Height)
Name of the measure: Body height Description: Body height measured following ISAK standardized protocols by an ISAK Level II anthropometrist.
Unit of measure: Meters (m) Range: No predefined minimum or maximum values. Direction of outcome: Not applicable (descriptive anthropometric measure).
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Morphological variables (Body Weight)
Name of the measure: Body weight Description: Body weight measured according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) standardized protocols by an ISAK Level II anthropometrist.
Unit of measure: Kilograms (kg) Range: No predefined minimum or maximum values. Direction of outcome: Not applicable (descriptive anthropometric measure).
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Morphological variables (Body Mass Index)
Name of the measure: Body Mass Index Description: Body Mass Index calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²), using measurements obtained according to ISAK standardized protocols by an ISAK Level II anthropometrist.
Unit of measure: Kilograms per square meter (kg/m²) Range: No predefined minimum or maximum values. Direction of outcome: Lower values indicate a more favorable body composition.
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Morphological variables (Waist Circumference)
Name of the measure: Waist circumference Description: Waist circumference measured according to ISAK standardized protocols by an ISAK Level II anthropometrist.
Unit of measure: Centimeters (cm) Range: No predefined minimum or maximum values. Direction of outcome: Lower values indicate a more favorable central adiposity profile.
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Physical activity level (objective)
Name of the measure: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity Description: Physical activity level will be objectively assessed using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT triaxial accelerometers. Data will be processed using ActiLife software and the GGIR package in R. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity will be calculated using validated pediatric cut-off points. The outcome corresponds to the average daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Unit of measure: Minutes per day (min/day) Range: 0 to no predefined maximum value. Direction of outcome: Higher values indicate a better outcome (higher physical activity level).
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test)
Level of physical activity (self-reported)
This will be assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A).
Description of the scale:
The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents is a self-administered instrument designed to assess the overall level of physical activity of adolescents during the previous seven days, including physical activity performed at school, during leisure time, and on weekends.
Scale range:
The total score ranges from 1 to 5 and is calculated as the average score of the questionnaire items.
Interpretation of scores:
Higher scores indicate a higher level of physical activity. Lower scores indicate a lower level of physical activity.
Measured: It will be measured on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Health-related quality of life
Name of the scale: KIDSCREEN-27 Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire Scale description:The KIDSCREEN-27 Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire is a self-administered instrument designed to assess health-related quality of life in children and adolescents. It evaluates five dimensions: Physical Well-being, Psychological Well-being, Autonomy and Parent Relations, Social Support and Peers, and School Environment.
Scale range: Each dimension is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, and dimension scores are transformed into standardized values ranging from 0 to 100.
Interpretation of scores: Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life. Lower scores indicate poorer health-related quality of life.
Direction of outcome: Higher scores represent a better outcome.
Measured: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Dec 2025
- Study start1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion12 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (16)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Primary School StudentsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- The trial is designed as a cluster-randomized trial with randomization units: course groups. The minimum clinically relevant difference in body fat percentage has been defined as 3 percentage points (Δ = 3), with an estimated standard deviation of 5. A significance level of α = 0.05 (two-tailed) and statistical power of 80% were assumed. An average cluster size of n = 35 students and a loss/adherence rate of 15% were considered. Based on recent literature on CRTs in school children, an intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.03 was assumed. With these assumptions, ≈ 44 students per arm are needed in an individual trial. Adjusting for cluster effect with ICC = 0.03, the size per arm increases to ≈ 88 students. Then, considering 15% losses, the final size per arm is ≈ 104 students. To cover this with average group sizes of 35, 3 courses/clusters per arm (6 clusters in total) will be needed, implying 210 enrolled students (105 intervention / 105 control)
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 210 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Católica del Maule
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, María P. Pezoa Fuentes, Universidad Católica del Maule
- Investigators
- Eugenio N Merellano Navarro, Doctor, Study director, Universidad Católica del Maule
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07313267
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UCM-IN-25214
- Other IDs
- UCM-IN-25214
- Acronym
- Renew
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Yes, inpatient data will be shared, specifically the data supporting the results of the publication. Study participants will be assigned a code, and that data will be shared.
Publications
Zurita-Ortega, F., Ubago-Jiménez, J. L., Ibáñez, E. M., González-Valero, G., & Alonso Vargas, J. M. Effects of a physical education programme based on kin ball on body mass index and basic physical skills in students with down syndrome. (2025). https://doi.org/10.12800/ccd.v20i63.2211
Vaquero-Solís, M., Tapia-Serrano, M. A., Moreno-Díaz, M. I., Cerro-Herrero, D., & Sánchez-Miguel, P. A. Exploratory analysis of physical activity in self-objectification and body image of adolescents. Cultura, Ciencia y Deporte, (2021). 16(48), 199-206. https://doi.org/10.12800/CCD.V16I48.1724
Stewart, A., Marfell-Jones, M., Olds, T., & de Ridder, J. International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment. (2011). ISAK.
Muñoz Troncoso, F., Becerra Peña, S., & Riquelme, E. Elaboración y validación psicométrica del cuestionario de convivencia escolar para la no violencia (CENVI). Estudios Pedagógicos (Valdivia), (2017). 43(3), 205-223. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-07052017000300012
Moya-Mata, I., Ruiz-Sanchis, L., Martín-Ruiz, J., & Ros-Ros, C. Physical activity represented in physical education textbooks for elementary education. Movimento, (2019). 25(1). https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-8918.89296
Morales-Campo PT, Perez-Munoz S, Lopez-Garcia S, Diez-Fernandez P, Rodriguez-Cayetano A. New alternative proposal in physical education: Touchtennis as a racket sport in schools. Front Sports Act Living. 2025 Mar 3;7:1545994. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1545994. eCollection 2025.
PubMed 40098917Migueles, J. H., Rowlands, A. V., Huber, F., Sabia, S., & Van Hees, V. T. GGIR: A Research Community-Driven Open Source R Package for Generating Physical Activity and Sleep Outcomes From Multi-Day Raw Accelerometer Data. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 2019. 2(3), 188-196. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2018-0063
Martins S, Augusto C, Martins MRO, Jose Silva M, Okan O, Dadaczynski K, Duarte A, Fronteira I, Ramos N, Rosario R. Adaptation and validation of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument for Portuguese university students. Health Promot J Austr. 2022 Oct;33 Suppl 1:390-398. doi: 10.1002/hpja.580. Epub 2022 Feb 17.
PubMed 35124876Markovic J, Bubanj S, Sekeljic G, Pavlovic S, Radenkovic M, Stankovic D, Petkovic E, Aksovic N, Radenkovic O, Preljevic A, Bjelica B, Petrovic V, Sinanovic S, Tomovic M. Efficiency of an Alternative Physical Education Program for the Lower Grades of Elementary School Children. Children (Basel). 2023 Oct 6;10(10):1657. doi: 10.3390/children10101657.
PubMed 37892320Marfell-Jones, M. J., Stewart, A., & de Ridder, J. H. International standards for anthropometric assessment. (2012). International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry.
Leuschner M, Grauduszus M, Friesen D, Ferrari N, Klaudius M, Joisten C. The 6-minute Run Test: Validation and Reference Equations for Adults. Int J Sports Med. 2024 Mar;45(3):222-230. doi: 10.1055/a-2206-5291. Epub 2023 Dec 19.
PubMed 38113901Lettink A, Altenburg TM, Arts J, van Hees VT, Chinapaw MJM. Systematic review of accelerometer-based methods for 24-h physical behavior assessment in young children (0-5 years old). Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2022 Sep 8;19(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s12966-022-01296-y.
PubMed 36076221Herrmann, C. MOBAK 1-4. Test zur Erfassung Motorischer Basiskompetenzen für die Klassen 1-4 (2018). Hogrefe.
Chen C, Weyland S, Fritsch J, Woll A, Niessner C, Burchartz A, Schmidt SCE, Jekauc D. A Short Version of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale: Development and Psychometric Properties. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct 20;18(21):11035. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182111035.
PubMed 34769552Budler LC, Pajnkihar M, Ravens-Sieberer U, Barr O, Stiglic G. The KIDSCREEN-27 scale: translation and validation study of the Slovenian version. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2022 Apr 21;20(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s12955-022-01973-3.
PubMed 35448993
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of an Intervention Programme Using Alternative Sports for the Recovery of Motor Learning and the Improvement of Physical and Mental Health in Primary School Students.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07313267
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Renew / UCM-IN-25214
- Conditions
- Primary School Students, Healthy
- Keywords
- physical fitness, motor skills, children, physical interventions, alternative sports
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 210 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Católica del MauleUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 12 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 31 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The objective of this clinical trial is to determine whether a school-based intervention involving alternative sports can improve physical fitness, motor skills, and psychological well-being in elementary school students. The main question to be answered is:
Can participating in a physical intervention involving alternative sports help children improve their strength, speed, endurance, motor skills, and enjoyment of physical activity? For 8 weeks, during physical education classes, researchers will compare an intervention with alternative sports (korfball, flag football, kin-ball, and ultimate frisbee) with the usual classes that students receive according to their study program, to see if alternative sports improve physical and psychological aspects.
Participants must:
- Perform physical and motor tests to determine their initial physical condition
- Complete a questionnaire to determine their level of enjoyment during physical activity.
- Actively participate in an 8-week intervention during physical education classes.
- Monitor their level of physical activity during classes using a device (accelerometer).
- Authorize the use of their first semester grades.
- At the end of the intervention, physical and motor tests will be performed again to assess progress and physical changes.
For eight weeks, researchers will conduct a study in physical education classes to compare two types of teaching: one based on alternative sports (such as korfball, flag football, kin-ball, and ultimate frisbee) and another with traditional school program classes to see if children improve physically and psychologically.
Detailed description
The RENUEVATE study is a randomized controlled cluster trial with a parallel group design and repeated measurements, developed using a quantitative approach. The study follows the CONSORT guidelines for randomized cluster trials and has been approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Catholic University of Maule, Chile (Resolution No. 112/2025). All procedures comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Randomization is performed at the educational establishment level in order to reduce the risk of contamination between participants. Three urban establishments in the city of Talca, Chile, representative of different administrative and socioeconomic contexts (municipal and privately subsidized), are randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). In each establishment, one sixth-grade class is assigned to the IG and another to the CG, making a total of six clusters.
Participants in the intervention group receive the RENUEVATE program, a school physical activity intervention integrated into regular physical education classes. The program is implemented during the academic period by previously trained physical education teachers, using a standardized manual that ensures the fidelity of the intervention. Teachers receive initial training and periodic supervision from the research team.
The intervention is based on the use of alternative sports (flag football, ultimate frisbee, korfball, and kin-ball), selected for their ability to promote moderate to vigorous physical activity, motor skill development, cooperation, inclusion, and gender equality. Each session follows a standardized structure that includes warm-up, main development, and cool-down phases, prescribing the intensity necessary to achieve adequate levels of physical effort during the central phase. The fidelity and dose of the intervention are monitored through session records, subjective perception of effort, and heart rate monitoring in a subsample of participants.
The control group continues with the regular physical education curriculum taught by the school, without modifications or exposure to the intervention content, participating only in pre- and post-intervention assessments.
Assessments are conducted at two points in time: before the start of the intervention (baseline) and at the end of the program, during the school day and by previously trained assessors, ideally blinded to group assignment. Primary and secondary outcomes include variables of physical fitness, motor skills, physical activity levels, body composition, enjoyment of physical activity, and health-related quality of life, assessed using validated instruments widely used in children. A detailed description of the variables and measurement instruments is presented in the corresponding sections of the registry.
The sample size was estimated to detect a clinically relevant difference in the percentage of body fat between groups, considering the cluster design and an expected intraclass correlation. Statistical analysis will be performed under the intention-to-treat principle, using mixed-effects models that allow for the hierarchical structure of the data and repeated measurements over time, adjusting for baseline values and relevant covariates. The procedures for handling missing data and sensitivity analyses are predefined in the study protocol.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The trial is designed as a cluster-randomized trial with randomization units: course groups. The minimum clinically relevant difference in body fat percentage has been defined as 3 percentage points (Δ = 3), with an estimated standard deviation of 5. A significance level of α = 0.05 (two-tailed) and statistical power of 80% were assumed. An average cluster size of n = 35 students and a loss/adherence rate of 15% were considered. Based on recent literature on CRTs in school children, an intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.03 was assumed. With these assumptions, ≈ 44 students per arm are needed in an individual trial. Adjusting for cluster effect with ICC = 0.03, the size per arm increases to ≈ 88 students. Then, considering 15% losses, the final size per arm is ≈ 104 students. To cover this with average group sizes of 35, 3 courses/clusters per arm (6 clusters in total) will be needed, implying 210 enrolled students (105 intervention / 105 control)
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention with alternative sports | Experimental | Other: Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football))The experimental group will hold 90-minute sessions twice a week for two months. Each two-week block will be dedicated to an alternative sport (flag football, ultimate frisbee, korfball, and kin-ball). |
| Control Group, traditional classes. | Active comparator | Other: Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculumThe control group (CG) will only participate in the initial and final evaluations, continuing with their traditional physical education classes without modifications, distributed in two weekly sessions of 90 minutes each. The classes incorporate sports and motor activities that involve collaborative sports and games. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 11 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football))The RENUÉVATE intervention will be implemented by previously trained physical education teachers. It will last for two months, with sessions held twice a week. The sessions will take place during the school day, in physical education classes, and will last 90 minutes. Each two-week block will be dedicated to an alternative team sport (flag football, ultimate frisbee, korfball, and kin-ball). The physical load for each session is as follows: Warm-up (15 min): general mobility and specific exercises to prepare for the sport in question, maintaining an intensity of 50-60% HRmax; RPE 9-11. Main part (65 min): practice of the alternative sport through games and technical/tactical progressions. An intensity of 65-80% HRmax will be prescribed; RPE 12-15, with active breaks between tasks. Cool down (10 min): relaxation, stretching, and group reflection activities with a light intensity <50% HRmax; RPE ≤ 9. | Other | Intervention with alternative sports |
| Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculumThe intervention will be implemented by physical education teachers who have been trained in the project's objectives, methodology, and values. The training will include a standardized manual and a two-hour weekly practical session to ensure fidelity in the program's implementation. In addition, weekly monitoring meetings will be held with the research team to resolve questions and ensure consistency across schools. | Other | Control Group, traditional classes. |
Primary outcome
Motor competence
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
It will be assessed using the Motorishe Basiskompetenzen (MOBAK) battery, which evaluates body control (balance, rolling, jumping) and object control (throwing, catching, bouncing, dribbling), used in schoolchildren aged 10 to 12. For throwing and catching tasks, children have 6 attempts (no trial attempts), in which the number of successes, i.e., successful attempts, is recorded. These are then scored: 0 to 2 successes, 0 points; 3 to 4 successes, 1 point; and 5 to 6 successes, 2 points. For the tasks of driving with the hand, driving with the foot, balancing, rolling, jumping, and running. Children have 2 attempts to complete the task (no trial attempts). The scoring of these tests is based on a dichotomous scale (0 = not achieved, 1 = achieved), in which the number of successful attempts is recorded (never achieved = 0 points; achieved once = 1 point; achieved twice = 2 points). The score from 0 to 8 determines the level of basic motor skills in a differentiated manner.
Cardiorespiratory capacity
Time frame: A measurement will be taken at the start of the intervention on day 1 (pre-test) and another assessment will be carried out at the end of the intervention on day 16 (post-test).
Cardiorespiratory capacity will be assessed, using tests that have been widely validated in school populations: For cardiorespiratory capacity, a 6-minute walk test will be used to estimate VO₂max.
Muscle strength (Lower Limb )
Time frame: A measurement will be taken at the start of the intervention on day 1 (pre-test) and another assessment will be carried out at the end of the intervention on day 16 (post-test).
Lower limb muscle strength will be assessed using tests that have been widely validated in school populations: the Bosco Test (squat jump (SJ) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) on a force platform.
Muscle Strength (Upper Limb)
Time frame: A measurement will be taken at the start of the intervention, on Day 1 (pre-test), and another assessment will be conducted at the end of the intervention, on Day 16 (post-test).
Grip strength will be assessed using a Camry EH101 hydraulic dynamometer, which is known for its high accuracy.
Enjoyment
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Enjoyment of physical activity was assessed using the Spanish version of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). This scale consists of 16 items. Responses were collected on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree). The score is obtained by calculating the average of the 16 items. The total score ranges from 16 to 80, with higher values indicating greater enjoyment.
8 secondary outcomes
Body Composition (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis)
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test)
Morphological variables (Body Height)
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Morphological variables (Body Weight)
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Morphological variables (Body Mass Index)
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Morphological variables (Waist Circumference)
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Physical activity level (objective)
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test)
Level of physical activity (self-reported)
Time frame: It will be measured on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Health-related quality of life
Time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2026.
- Results publicationZurita-Ortega, F., Ubago-Jiménez, J. L., Ibáñez, E. M., González-Valero, G., & Alonso Vargas, J. M. Effects of a physical education programme based on kin ball on body mass index and basic physical skills in students with down syndrome. (2025). https://doi.org/10.12800/ccd.v20i63.2211
- Results publicationVaquero-Solís, M., Tapia-Serrano, M. A., Moreno-Díaz, M. I., Cerro-Herrero, D., & Sánchez-Miguel, P. A. Exploratory analysis of physical activity in self-objectification and body image of adolescents. Cultura, Ciencia y Deporte, (2021). 16(48), 199-206. https://doi.org/10.12800/CCD.V16I48.1724
- Results publicationStewart, A., Marfell-Jones, M., Olds, T., & de Ridder, J. International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment. (2011). ISAK.
- Results publicationMuñoz Troncoso, F., Becerra Peña, S., & Riquelme, E. Elaboración y validación psicométrica del cuestionario de convivencia escolar para la no violencia (CENVI). Estudios Pedagógicos (Valdivia), (2017). 43(3), 205-223. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-07052017000300012
- Results publicationMoya-Mata, I., Ruiz-Sanchis, L., Martín-Ruiz, J., & Ros-Ros, C. Physical activity represented in physical education textbooks for elementary education. Movimento, (2019). 25(1). https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-8918.89296
- Results publication: PubMed 40098917Morales-Campo PT, Perez-Munoz S, Lopez-Garcia S, Diez-Fernandez P, Rodriguez-Cayetano A. New alternative proposal in physical education: Touchtennis as a racket sport in schools. Front Sports Act Living. 2025 Mar 3;7:1545994. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1545994. eCollection 2025.
- Results publicationMigueles, J. H., Rowlands, A. V., Huber, F., Sabia, S., & Van Hees, V. T. GGIR: A Research Community-Driven Open Source R Package for Generating Physical Activity and Sleep Outcomes From Multi-Day Raw Accelerometer Data. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 2019. 2(3), 188-196. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2018-0063
- Results publication: PubMed 35124876Martins S, Augusto C, Martins MRO, Jose Silva M, Okan O, Dadaczynski K, Duarte A, Fronteira I, Ramos N, Rosario R. Adaptation and validation of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument for Portuguese university students. Health Promot J Austr. 2022 Oct;33 Suppl 1:390-398. doi: 10.1002/hpja.580. Epub 2022 Feb 17.
- Results publication: PubMed 37892320Markovic J, Bubanj S, Sekeljic G, Pavlovic S, Radenkovic M, Stankovic D, Petkovic E, Aksovic N, Radenkovic O, Preljevic A, Bjelica B, Petrovic V, Sinanovic S, Tomovic M. Efficiency of an Alternative Physical Education Program for the Lower Grades of Elementary School Children. Children (Basel). 2023 Oct 6;10(10):1657. doi: 10.3390/children10101657.
- Results publicationMarfell-Jones, M. J., Stewart, A., & de Ridder, J. H. International standards for anthropometric assessment. (2012). International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry.
- Results publication: PubMed 38113901Leuschner M, Grauduszus M, Friesen D, Ferrari N, Klaudius M, Joisten C. The 6-minute Run Test: Validation and Reference Equations for Adults. Int J Sports Med. 2024 Mar;45(3):222-230. doi: 10.1055/a-2206-5291. Epub 2023 Dec 19.
- Results publication: PubMed 36076221Lettink A, Altenburg TM, Arts J, van Hees VT, Chinapaw MJM. Systematic review of accelerometer-based methods for 24-h physical behavior assessment in young children (0-5 years old). Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2022 Sep 8;19(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s12966-022-01296-y.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Yes, inpatient data will be shared, specifically the data supporting the results of the publication. Study participants will be assigned a code, and that data will be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Eugenio N Merellano Navarro, Doctor study director
Universidad Católica del Maule
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Intervention with Alternative Sports (kin-ball, korfball, ultimate frisbee and flag football)) and Intervention with regular classes from the school curriculum in people with Primary School Students and Healthy, run by Universidad Católica del Maule at 1 site in Chile.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Chile. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact María P Pezoa Fuentes, Doctor (+56988816597, mpezoa@ucm.cl), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Motor competence (time frame: It will be evaluated on day 1 (pre-test) and day 16 (post-test).). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07313267, which also lists 16 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2026.