Can fun and games sharpen young minds? study tests playful exercise for school readiness

NCT ID NCT07678294

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study investigates whether an 8-week program of playful physical activities—games that combine movement with cognitive challenges like memory, attention, and planning—can improve executive functions and school readiness in preschool children aged 55 to 64 months. Compared to regular physical education, the program aims to enhance skills such as inhibition, working memory, and problem-solving, which are important for early learning. The trial involves 48 children and measures changes in school readiness scores and cognitive task performance.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Playful Physical Activities Program
What this could lead to
If effective, this approach could offer a simple, fun way to improve early learning skills in preschool children.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with only 48 children, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention is behavioral, so effects may be modest.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Physical Activity, Sport and Health Research Unit UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sport

    Tunis, 1003, Tunisia

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