Effects of Physical Game Intervention on Memory, Attention, Gross Motor Skills and Social Adaptability in Children Aged 4-6 Years

July 2, 2026 updated by: Jiabao Cui, Shenzhen University
This study aims to improve the memory, attention, gross motor skills and social adaptation ability of children aged 5 to 6 years. Taking physical games as the intervention method, it explores the effects of physical games on promoting young children's memory, attention, gross motor skills and social adaptation ability, and analyzes the approaches and mechanisms through which physical games enhance these abilities among children aged 4 to 6 years. The game scheme will be timely adjusted according to feedback obtained from a semester-long intervention. Finally, in collaboration with kindergarten teachers and the research team, a set of classroom-based physical game programs suitable for children aged 4 to 6 will be developed, so as to provide theoretical references and practical approaches for the improvement of the above abilities in preschool children of this age group. Smart physical game equipment is adopted and integrated into children's daily physical game classes to record and store children's sports data, establish individual archives of children's motor abilities, and realize real-time uploading, analysis and sharing of sports test results, enabling parents and teachers to keep abreast of children's physical exercise and motor development status in a timely manner.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
42

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Guangdong
      • Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, 518060
        • Shenzhen University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion criteria:

  • Preschool children aged 5 to 6 years old
  • In good physical and mental condition, with normal cognitive ability, able to attend daily courses and communicate with others normally
  • Have not received any extracurricular training targeted at memory, attention and locomotor skills in the past one year
  • Written informed consent obtained from guardians, and children participate in this study voluntarily

Exclusion criteria:

  • Children with non-Chinese nationality or language barriers
  • Children with congenital diseases who are not suitable for participating in extracurricular physical game activities
  • Children who have received extracurricular training targeted at memory, attention and locomotor skills in the past one year

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Structured Physical Game Intervention Group
Physical games focusing on improving preschool children's locomotor skills verified based on three-round Delphi method:W-Run; Pony Finding Friends; My Territory; Eagle Catching Chicks; Fruit Picking; The Wolf is Coming; Puppy Seeking Bones; Dizzy Spin.
Behavioral: Structured Physical Game Intervention Group
Physical games focusing on improving preschool children's locomotor skills verified based on three-round Delphi method:W-Run; Pony Finding Friends; My Territory; Eagle Catching Chicks; Fruit Picking; The Wolf is Coming; Puppy Seeking Bones; Dizzy Spin.
No Intervention: Routine Kindergarten Outdoor Activity Control Group
Kindergarten where this study was conducted, the regular curriculum follows a periodic activity schedule, including rhythmic gymnastics, skipping rope, circular training (physical large circulation), cycling, and ball sports.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Locomotor Skill
Time Frame: Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week physical game intervention)
Children's locomotor skill is assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2). The raw score for the locomotor subscale ranges from 0 to 48. Higher scores represent better performance in children's locomotor motor skills. This indicator is used to explore the intervention effect of the 8-week structured physical game program on preschool children's locomotor development.
Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week physical game intervention)
perceptual motor ability
Time Frame: Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week physical game intervention)
Children's perceived motor competence is measured with the Perceived Competence Scale for Children (PSPC). The total score of the scale ranges from 1 to 4; higher scores indicate a higher level of children's perceived motor competence. This indicator is used to explore the intervention effect of the 8-week structured physical game program on preschool children's self-perceived motor ability.
Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week physical game intervention)
memory
Time Frame: Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week structured physical game intervention)
Preschool children's immediate memory and short-term memory are measured using the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised for China (WMS-RC) revised by Professor Gong Yaoxian. The outcome indicator is Memory Quotient (MQ), which ranges from 50 to 150; a score of 100 represents the average memory level, and higher scores indicate better memory performance. This indicator is used to evaluate the effect of the 8-week structured physical game intervention on children's memory ability.
Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week structured physical game intervention)
attention
Time Frame: Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week structured physical game intervention)
Preschool children's attention ability is assessed by the Schulte Grid Test. The test score ranges from 0 to 100; higher scores reflect better attention concentration and sustained attention performance. This indicator aims to evaluate the intervention effect of the 8-week structured physical game program on children's attention level.
Baseline (before the 8-week intervention) and post-intervention (upon completion of the 8-week structured physical game intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Shenzhen University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

  • 1. COLOMBO J. The Critical Period Concept - Research, Methodology, and Theoretical Issues. PSYCHOL BULL. 1982; 91(2):260-275. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.91.2.260. 2. Logan SW, Robinson LE, Wilson AE, Lucas WA. Getting the Fundamentals of Movement: A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Motor Skill Interventions in Children. CHILD CARE HLTH DEV. 2012; 38(3):305-315. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01307.x. 3. Barnett LM, Stodden D, Cohen KE, et al. Fundamental Movement Skills: An Important Focus. J TEACH PHYS EDUC. 2016; 35(3):219-225. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2014-0209. 4. Adams J, Veitch J, Barnett L. Physical Activity and Fundamental Motor Skill Performance of 5-10 Year Old Children in Three Different Playgrounds. INT J ENV RES PUB HE. 2018; 15(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15091896. 5. Guo HX, Schenkelberg MA, O'Neill JR, Dowda M, Pate RR. How Does the Relationship Between Motor Skill Performance and Body Mass Index Impact Physical Activity in Preschool Children? PEDIATR EXERC SCI. 2018; 30(2):266-272. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2017-0074. 6. Hardy LL, King L, Farrell L, Macniven R, Howlett S. Fundamental Movement Skills Among Australian Preschool Children. J SCI MED SPORT. 2010; 13(5):503-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2009.05.010. 7. Hume C, Okely A, Bagley S, Telford A, Booth M, Crawford D, Salmon J. Does Weight Status Influence Associations Between Children's Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity? RES Q EXERCISE SPORT. 2008; 79(2):158-165. 8. Goodway JD, Rudisill ME. Perceived Physical Competence and Actual Motor Skill Competence of African American Preschool Children. ADAPT PHYS ACT Q. 1997; 14(4):314-326. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.14.4.314. 9. Stodden DF, Goodway JD, Langendorfer SJ, Roberton MA, Rudisill ME, Garcia C, Garcia LE. A Developmental Perspective On the Role of Motor Skill Competence in Physical Activity: An Emergent Relationship. QUEST. 2008; 60(2):290-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 8, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 3, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 10, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 2, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 2, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • PN-202400029

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

The individual participant data involves sensitive personal information of preschool children. Considering the strict protection of minors' privacy and the constraints of the approved ethical review protocol, the original individual-level data will not be shared externally to prevent the risk of information leakage.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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