Physical FitnessNCT07769411
Effects of a 12-Week Dance Intervention on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function in Female College Students
A study testing 12-Week Dance Intervention and Regular Physical Education in people with Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function, run by Jiangsu University of Science and Technology at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week dance intervention on physical fitness and cognitive function in female college students. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 108 first-year female college students from two intact physical education classes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 20 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Physical Fitness, Cognitive Function
- What is being tested?
- 12-Week Dance Intervention and Regular Physical Education
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 108 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 2 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 18 to 20 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female students aged 18-20 years. First-year college students enrolled in one of the two participating physical education classes.
- No formal dance training during the previous six months. Medically able to participate in moderate-intensity exercise, as confirmed by the university annual health screening.
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed neurological or psychological disorders that could affect cognitive testing.
- Major musculoskeletal injuries that could interfere with participation in physical activity.
- Cardiovascular conditions or other contraindications that could make exercise unsafe.
- Language or cognitive difficulties preventing valid completion of questionnaires or cognitive tests.
- Failure to meet the inclusion criteria or refusal to participate before allocation.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
China1 site
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212100
About this study
Official title: Effects of Dance on Cognitive Function and Physical Fitness Among Female College Students
This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week dance intervention on physical fitness and cognitive function in female college students. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 108 first-year female college students from two intact physical education classes. The two classes were assigned to either a dance intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a 12-week dance program during university physical education classes, while participants in the control group continued their regular physical education program. Physical fitness was assessed using lung capacity, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run tests. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Assessments were conducted before and after the 12-week intervention to compare changes between the two groups.
Read the detailed description
This study was designed as a 12-week cluster-randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of dance participation on physical fitness and cognitive function among female college students. Participants were recruited from two intact physical education classes at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. A total of 108 eligible first-year female students participated in the study.
Randomization was performed at the class level. The two intact classes were randomly allocated to either the experimental group (n=54) or the control group (n=54). The experimental group participated in a structured dance intervention during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The dance program emphasized rhythmic movement, repeated practice of dance steps and turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines. The control group continued the regular university physical education program, which included activities such as running, ball games, and general fitness exercises.
Physical fitness and cognitive function were assessed before and after the intervention. Physical fitness assessments included lung capacity, sit-and-reach flexibility, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run. Cognitive assessments included the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The study compared changes from baseline to post-intervention between the experimental and control groups.
- Conditions
- Physical Fitness, Cognitive Function
- Being tested
- 12-Week Dance Intervention, Regular Physical Education
- Keywords
- Dance, Female College Students, Exercise, Physical Fitness, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Cognitive Function
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
12-Week Dance InterventionBehavioural
A structured dance program delivered during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The intervention focused on rhythmic movement, dance steps, turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines.
Regular Physical EducationBehavioural
Participants continued their regular university physical education program during the 12-week study period, including running, ball games, fitness drills, and general skill practice.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Intervention Group | Experimental | Participants in this group received a structured 12-week dance intervention during university physical education classes. The program included rhythmic movement, repeated practice of dance steps and turns, coordination exercises, expressive movement, and short dance routines. Receives: Behavioral: 12-Week Dance Intervention |
| Regular Physical Education Control Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group continued the regular university physical education program during the 12-week study period, including running, ball games, fitness drills, and general skill practice. Receives: Behavioral: Regular Physical Education |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Lung Capacity
Lung capacity was measured in milliliters (mL) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Higher values indicate greater lung capacity. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Change in Sit-and-Reach Flexibility
Sit-and-reach performance was measured in centimeters (cm) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Higher values indicate greater flexibility. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Change in Standing Long Jump
Standing long jump performance was measured in centimeters (cm) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Greater distance indicates better lower-limb explosive power. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Change in 50-Meter Sprint Performance
The 50-meter sprint was used to assess running speed and was recorded in seconds (s). Lower completion times indicate better sprint performance. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Change in 1000-Meter Run Performance
The 1000-meter run was used to assess endurance performance and was recorded in minutes (min). Lower completion times indicate better endurance performance. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Change in Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) Score
The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) consists of 25 items assessing everyday lapses in attention, memory, and action. Higher scores indicate more frequent cognitive failures. Change in total score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Change in Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) Score
The Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) consists of 14 items assessing working memory and inhibitory control. Higher scores indicate poorer executive functioning. Change in total score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Change in Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) Score
The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) was used to assess processing speed and attention. Participants matched digits with corresponding symbols within 90 seconds. Higher scores indicate better processing speed and attention. Change in score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Aug 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026
- Primary completion2 Jun 2026
- Study completion2 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Physical FitnessStudies 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
- This study used a cluster-randomized, parallel-group design. Two intact physical education classes were randomized at the class level to either a 12-week dance intervention group or a regular physical education control group.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07769411
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- JUST-DANCE-2026-001
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 19 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in the publication will be available upon reasonable request. Shared data may include participant-level baseline characteristics, physical fitness outcomes, and cognitive function outcomes. No directly identifying participant information will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Dance on Cognitive Function and Physical Fitness Among Female College Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07769411
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- JUST-DANCE-2026-001
- Conditions
- Physical Fitness, Cognitive Function
- Keywords
- Dance, Female College Students, Exercise, Physical Fitness, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Cognitive Function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Jiangsu University of Science and TechnologyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Aug 2026 (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.
This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week dance intervention on physical fitness and cognitive function in female college students. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 108 first-year female college students from two intact physical education classes. The two classes were assigned to either a dance intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a 12-week dance program during university physical education classes, while participants in the control group continued their regular physical education program. Physical fitness was assessed using lung capacity, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run tests. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Assessments were conducted before and after the 12-week intervention to compare changes between the two groups.
Detailed description
This study was designed as a 12-week cluster-randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of dance participation on physical fitness and cognitive function among female college students. Participants were recruited from two intact physical education classes at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. A total of 108 eligible first-year female students participated in the study.
Randomization was performed at the class level. The two intact classes were randomly allocated to either the experimental group (n=54) or the control group (n=54). The experimental group participated in a structured dance intervention during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The dance program emphasized rhythmic movement, repeated practice of dance steps and turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines. The control group continued the regular university physical education program, which included activities such as running, ball games, and general fitness exercises.
Physical fitness and cognitive function were assessed before and after the intervention. Physical fitness assessments included lung capacity, sit-and-reach flexibility, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run. Cognitive assessments included the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The study compared changes from baseline to post-intervention between the experimental and control groups.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This study used a cluster-randomized, parallel-group design. Two intact physical education classes were randomized at the class level to either a 12-week dance intervention group or a regular physical education control group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: 12-Week Dance InterventionParticipants in this group received a structured 12-week dance intervention during university physical education classes. The program included rhythmic movement, repeated practice of dance steps and turns, coordination exercises, expressive movement, and short dance routines. |
| Regular Physical Education Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Regular Physical EducationParticipants in this group continued the regular university physical education program during the 12-week study period, including running, ball games, fitness drills, and general skill practice. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 20 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Female students aged 18-20 years. First-year college students enrolled in one of the two participating physical education classes.
- No formal dance training during the previous six months. Medically able to participate in moderate-intensity exercise, as confirmed by the university annual health screening.
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnosed neurological or psychological disorders that could affect cognitive testing.
- Major musculoskeletal injuries that could interfere with participation in physical activity.
- Cardiovascular conditions or other contraindications that could make exercise unsafe.
- Language or cognitive difficulties preventing valid completion of questionnaires or cognitive tests.
- Failure to meet the inclusion criteria or refusal to participate before allocation.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Week Dance InterventionA structured dance program delivered during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The intervention focused on rhythmic movement, dance steps, turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines. | Behavioural | Dance Intervention Group |
| Regular Physical EducationParticipants continued their regular university physical education program during the 12-week study period, including running, ball games, fitness drills, and general skill practice. | Behavioural | Regular Physical Education Control Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Lung Capacity
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Lung capacity was measured in milliliters (mL) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Higher values indicate greater lung capacity. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Change in Sit-and-Reach Flexibility
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Sit-and-reach performance was measured in centimeters (cm) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Higher values indicate greater flexibility. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Change in Standing Long Jump
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
Standing long jump performance was measured in centimeters (cm) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Greater distance indicates better lower-limb explosive power. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Change in 50-Meter Sprint Performance
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
The 50-meter sprint was used to assess running speed and was recorded in seconds (s). Lower completion times indicate better sprint performance. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Change in 1000-Meter Run Performance
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
The 1000-meter run was used to assess endurance performance and was recorded in minutes (min). Lower completion times indicate better endurance performance. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Change in Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) Score
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) consists of 25 items assessing everyday lapses in attention, memory, and action. Higher scores indicate more frequent cognitive failures. Change in total score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Change in Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) Score
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
The Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) consists of 14 items assessing working memory and inhibitory control. Higher scores indicate poorer executive functioning. Change in total score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Change in Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) Score
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)
The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) was used to assess processing speed and attention. Participants matched digits with corresponding symbols within 90 seconds. Higher scores indicate better processing speed and attention. Change in score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in the publication will be available upon reasonable request. Shared data may include participant-level baseline characteristics, physical fitness outcomes, and cognitive function outcomes. No directly identifying participant information 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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing 12-Week Dance Intervention and Regular Physical Education in people with Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function, run by Jiangsu University of Science and Technology at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Aug 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 China. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Lung Capacity (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention (12 weeks)). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 19 Aug 2026.