Old-school playground games put to the test: can they boost kids' motor skills?
NCT ID NCT07721831
First seen Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This school-based trial tests whether a 10-week program of traditional Turkish children's games can improve motor competence, balance, physical activity self-efficacy, and enjoyment in healthy children aged 9-11. Forty participants are randomly assigned to either the game program twice weekly or regular physical education classes. The study measures changes from before to after the program to see if these culturally familiar games offer extra benefits for physical and psychosocial development.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a 10-week program of traditional Turkish children's games
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this program could offer a fun, low-cost way to improve motor skills and physical activity in primary school children.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 40 children, so results may not apply broadly. The program's benefits over regular physical education remain uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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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40 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2026
- Finished
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Apr 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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9 to 11 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- 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: Healthy primary school children aged 9-11 years. Enrolled in the participating primary school. Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian. Willingness to participate in all study assessments and intervention sessions. Exclusion Criteria: Any diagnosed neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or medical condition preventing participation in physical activity. Participation in another structured exercise or intervention program during the study period. Absence from a substantial proportion of intervention sessions or outcome assessments.
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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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Atatürk Primary School
Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye)