Hoops for health: can basketball teach teens to beat obesity and boost mood?

NCT ID NCT07778433

Running, but no longer taking on new participants.

First seen Aug 21, 2026 ยท Last updated Aug 21, 2026

Summary

This study tests a program called BasketballRx, which combines basketball activities with lessons on healthy eating, exercise, sleep, and stress management. The program is designed for teens aged 10 to 15 who are overweight or have obesity, and who identify as Black or Latino. Over two months, participants will attend six sessions to see if the program is easy to complete and whether it leads to changes in body mass index, healthy habits, and emotional well-being.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only โ€” not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
BasketballRx, a behavioral program combining structured basketball activities with health education on nutrition, hydration, sleep, physical activity, mindfulness, and stress management
What this could lead to
If it works, this program could offer a fun, engaging way to help teens with overweight or obesity build healthier habits and improve their emotional well-being.
What could go wrong
This is a very small early trial with only 8 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The program's success depends on participation and may not lead to lasting changes.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

8 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Mar 2026

Expected to finish

Aug 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

10 to 15 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Ages 10 years old to 15 years old. * BMI 85th percentile or higher * Patient at the Penn State Health Family and Community Medicine Clinic in Harrisburg, PA * Race/ethnicity self-reported as Black or Latino * One guardian (as listed in the EHR) must be present during the entirety of all sessions * English-speaking * Allowable medical conditions: depression, anxiety, adhd, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes, skin conditions, stage 1 hypertension. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Children younger than 10 years old or older than 15 years old * Children with a BMI lower than the 85th percentile * Children with structural cardiac conditions, respiratory conditions, concussion within the past 30days, Stage 2 hypertension, history of syncope or near syncope, cardiac dysrhythmias/channelopathies (e.g., long QT syndrome, heart block), history of exercise-induced chest pain or heart palpitations, family history of sudden cardiac death in children, seizure disorder, pregnancy. * Children with current or past orthopedic conditions/injuries. * Children with health conditions/physical limitations that render them unable to participate in any component of the program including but not limited to severe developmental delays, autism, wheelchair dependence. * Not cared for at the Penn State Health Family and Community Medicine Clinic in Harrisburg, PA * Not of Black/Latino race/ethnicity * Unaccompanied children * Inability to verify guardianship with the EHR * Non-English speaking * Participants without sneakers * Already enrolled in another formal exercise program * An elevated heart rate or newly discovered elevated blood pressure before the start of any of the sessions * Parent/guardian is unwilling or unable to provide consent

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder Depression depressive disorder Health Behavior Health Education Motor Activity Obesity obesity disorder Overweight Pediatric Obesity psychiatric disorder Psychological Well-Being

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Camp Curtin Branch of the YMCA

    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17110, United States

  • Penn State Health Medical Group Harrisburg

    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17110, United States

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