Dance might sharpen young minds and bodies — a trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT07769411
First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This trial investigates whether a 12-week dance program can improve both physical fitness and cognitive function in female college students. About 108 first-year students will be split into two groups: one taking dance classes during physical education, and the other continuing their regular PE routine. Researchers will measure changes in lung capacity, flexibility, sprint and endurance performance, as well as attention, memory, and executive function before and after the program.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- A structured 12-week dance program delivered during university physical education classes
- What this could lead to
- If dance proves effective, it could offer a fun, accessible way to enhance both physical fitness and cognitive health in young adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial in a specific group (female college students), so results may not apply broadly. The outcomes are short-term and may not reflect lasting benefits.
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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
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108 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 20 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: 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. Exclusion Criteria: 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.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212100, China
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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