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Effect of Extra-curricular Sports Activities After School on Primary School Children's Academic Performance

Effect of Extra-curricular Sports Activities After School on Primary School Children's Academic Performance in China: A Non-inferiority Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04587765
Enrollment
2032
Registered
2020-10-14
Start date
2020-10-14
Completion date
2021-12-31
Last updated
2022-04-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Extra-curricular Sports

Keywords

academic performance, physical activity

Brief summary

The process of urbanization and the rapid development of information technology have greatly reduced the space and time available for children's outdoor activities. In this study, we expect to study the effects of the addition of physical education classes after school on the academic performance, mental health, physical fitness, and myopia among primary school children.

Detailed description

Urbanization has led to a shrinking of the space suitable for residential activities and a dramatic change in the behavioural patterns, which is particularly evident in children. The spread and development of information technology has reduced children's time for physical activity. Previous studies have found that physical activity is essential for the growth and development of adolescents, preventing and reducing obesity, slowing the development of myopia, and is closely linked to mental health. However, parents in China are concerned that increased outdoor activity will reduce the amount of time spent studying and affect academic performance. Currently, there is a lack of strong evidence on the impact of physical activity on academic performance. In this study, we propose to provide after-school physical education classes for students in primary schools in a rapidly urbanizing area, and assess the effects of the intervention on children's academic performance, physical fitness, myopia, and mental health to provide evidence for the development of educational programs and arrangements for after-school activities.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALExtra-curricular sports

The group follows the schedule of school teaching programme. Extra-curricular sports classes will be organized and provided in this group of schools in the afternoon after school until 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday).

Sponsors

Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

open,non-inferiority cluster randomized controlled trial

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
7 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Pupils in the third and fourth grades of primary schools in Yudu County; 2. Voluntary participation in this study with consent and informed consent signed by guardians.

Exclusion criteria

*

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mathematics test scores at the end of the first academic year1 yearThe test paper will follow the design principles of International Mathematics and science learning, and referring to the local unified examination papers of grade three and grade four, the unified examination questions are formulated to evaluate the students' learning in school

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of myopia in the first school year1 yearSpherical equivalent after mydriasis ≤ -0.5 D in either eye
Happiness Assessment at the end of the first academic year1 yearHappiness score is rated by Chinese version of the WHO-5 including 5 items with ratings: 0, at no time-5, all of the time. The total raw score, ranging from 0 to 25, is multiplied by 4 to give the final score, with 0 representing the worst imaginable well-being and 100 representing the best imaginable well-being
Mathematics test scores at the end of the second school yearup to 2 yearsThe test paper will follow the design principles of International Mathematics and science learning, and referring to the local unified examination papers of grade three and grade four, the unified examination questions are formulated to evaluate the students' learning in school
Combined physical fitness test score at the end of the first academic year1 yearTotal scores of physical fitness tests according to 2018 National Physical Fitness Survey Monitoring Programme
Cumulative incidence of myopia over two school yearsup to 2 yearsSpherical equivalent after mydriasis ≤ -0.5 D in either eye
Happiness assessment at the second school yearup to 2 yearsHappiness score is rated by Chinese (September, 2007) version of the WHO-5 including 5 items with ratings: 0, at no time-5, all of the time. The total raw score, ranging from 0 to 25, is multiplied by 4 to give the final score, with 0 representing the worst imaginable well-being and 100 representing the best imaginable well-being
Satisfaction assessment1 yearSatisfaction of pupils in the intervention group with the addition of PE after school will be measured by a questionnaire which is designed by reaserchers.
Combined physical fitness test scores at the end of the second academic yearup to 2 yearsTotal scores of physical fitness tests according to 2018 National Physical Fitness Survey Monitoring Programme

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 8, 2026