Effect of Aerobic Exercises Versus Low Interval Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in School Going Chlidren.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), which is a key marker of heart and lung health, can be improved through regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercises. This project aims to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercises combined with low-intensity interval training (LIIT) on the cardiorespiratory fitness of school-going children. The increasing sedentary lifestyle among children has contributed to a decline in overall physical fitness and a rise in health-related issues.Cardiorespiratory fitness is crucial for overall health and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases from a young age.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Children, Only
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Aerobic exercise

Detailed Description

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), which is a key marker of heart and lung health, can be improved through regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercises. This project aims to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercises combined with low-intensity interval training (LIIT) on the cardiorespiratory fitness of school-going children. The increasing sedentary lifestyle among children has contributed to a decline in overall physical fitness and a rise in health-related issues.Cardiorespiratory fitness is crucial for overall health and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases from a young age. The project will involve a structured program where children participate in either aerobic exercises, such as jogging or cycling, or low-intensity interval training, such as brisk walking with short breaks. Baseline measurements of heart rate, VO₂ max, 20 metter shuttle run test and endurance will be taken to assess each child's initial cardiorespiratory fitness level. The children will then undergo a 8 week training period, engaging in their assigned exercise regimen three times per week. Post intervention measurements will be recorded and compared to the baseline. This study will help determine if one type of training is more effective than the other in improving fitness levels among school-aged children, potentially guiding physical education curriculum and promoting healthier lifestyle habits from an early age.

The findings could contribute valuable insights into the role of exercise type on health outcomes, helping schools, parents, and health professionals make informed choices for children's physical activities to support optimal growth and long-term health improve heart rate , oxygen level , reduce cardio related disease.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 130
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD; Phone Number: 9233224390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Daska Kalan, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 51010
      • Recruiting
      • Govt High School Daska
      • Contact: Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT; Phone Number: 923224209422; Email: a.javed@riphah.edu.pk
      • Contact: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD; Phone Number: 9233224209422; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 6-12

  • School going children
  • Healthy children without chronic illness
  • Cognitive skills

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cardiovascular disease,

  • asthma,
  • musculoskeleton disorders
  • Children with any Physical disability
  • Behavioural issue
  • prior athletic training.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Aerobic exercises; Group in which performed all Group A will perform aerobic exercises. Aerobic exercises are ideal for improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Running or Jogging - Great for endurance and can be done in short sprints or long distances. Time 4min Rest 2 min 2 round Jump Rope - A fun way to build stamina and improve coordination. Time 2min Rest 2 min 2 round. Cycling - Strengthens the heart and lungs and is often enjoyable for kids. Time 5min Rest 1min rest Obstacle Courses - Running, jumping, crawling, and climbing for fun and fitness. Time 2min Rest; 1 min Dancing and Aerobic Games: Dance-based exercises or aerobic games (like tag or relay races) keep children engaged and provide cardiovascular benefits. Time. 2min Rest. 1 min Circuit Training- performed. Time. 3min Rest. 1min Stair climbing Time. 2 min Rest. 2min 2 round	Other: Aerobic exercise; Experimental Group A Aerobic exercises Running or Jogging - Great for endurance and can be done in short sprints or long distances. Time 4min Jump Rope - A fun way to build stamina and improve coordination. Time 2min Cycling - Strengthens the heart and lungs and is often enjoyable for kids. Time 5min Dancing and Aerobic Games: Time. 2min Circuit Training- performed. Time. 3min Rest. 1min Stair climbing Time. 2 min These exercises performed 3 days a week. Experimental Group B:Low interval training exercises 1)Brisk Walking and Arm Swings Time: 3 minutes of brisk walking Duration: 12 minutes total 2. Step-Ups on a Low Platform or Bench Time: 2 minutes of step-ups (alternating legs) Duration: 9 minutes total 3)Low-Intensity Jump Rope Time: 1 minute of slow-paced jumping (or skipping in place if no rope is available) 4. Side-to-Side Steps Time: 2 minutes of lateral steps (side-to-side motion with a slight squat) Rest: 1 minute; Other Names: Low interval training exercises
Experimental: Low interval Training Exercises; Group 2 performed low interval training exercises.1)Brisk Walking and Arm Swings Time: 3 minutes of brisk walking Rest: 1 minute (slow walking or standing) Rounds: 3 rounds Duration: 12 minutes total 2. Step-Ups on a Low Platform or Bench Time: 2 minutes of step-ups (alternating legs) Rest: 1 minute Rounds: 3 rounds Duration: 9 minutes total 3)Low-Intensity Jump Rope Time: 1 minute of slow-paced jumping (or skipping in place if no rope is available) Rest: 1 minute Rounds: 4 rounds Duration: 8 minutes total 4. Side-to-Side Steps Time: 2 minutes of lateral steps (side-to-side motion with a slight squat) Rest: 1 minute Rounds: 3 rounds Duration: 9 minutes total	Other: Aerobic exercise; Experimental Group A Aerobic exercises Running or Jogging - Great for endurance and can be done in short sprints or long distances. Time 4min Jump Rope - A fun way to build stamina and improve coordination. Time 2min Cycling - Strengthens the heart and lungs and is often enjoyable for kids. Time 5min Dancing and Aerobic Games: Time. 2min Circuit Training- performed. Time. 3min Rest. 1min Stair climbing Time. 2 min These exercises performed 3 days a week. Experimental Group B:Low interval training exercises 1)Brisk Walking and Arm Swings Time: 3 minutes of brisk walking Duration: 12 minutes total 2. Step-Ups on a Low Platform or Bench Time: 2 minutes of step-ups (alternating legs) Duration: 9 minutes total 3)Low-Intensity Jump Rope Time: 1 minute of slow-paced jumping (or skipping in place if no rope is available) 4. Side-to-Side Steps Time: 2 minutes of lateral steps (side-to-side motion with a slight squat) Rest: 1 minute; Other Names: Low interval training exercises

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
20 metter shuttle run test	The 20-meter shuttle run test, also known as the beep test or PACER test. in schools to measure cardiovascular endurance in children. Here's how it's performed and measured: Starting the Test: Students line up at one end of the 20-meter track. An audio track, which plays a beep sound at set intervals, is used to signal when students should start running and reach the other line. Running Pattern: Students begin running at the sound of the first beep. They must reach the opposite line before the next beep sounds.Incease intensity faster.End test.	For one individual usaually lasts between 9-12 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
VO2 max	tests can be difficult to administer and are not suitable for all fitness levels. The quickest and easiest way to measure your VO2 max is to use a basic calculation or a walking/jogging test. Determine your resting heart rate. Many fitness trackers and watches come with a heart rate monitor. If you have one of these, record your heart rate while at rest (sitting down, doing little-to-no physical activity). The best time to measure your 25 years old, your HRmax = 220 -25 = 195 beats per minute (bpm). There is some research that suggests this formula oversimplifies the calculation. You can also estimate your max heart rate with the formula HRmax = 205.8 - (0.685 x age) Define the simple VO2 max formula. The simplest formula to calculate VO2 max is VO2 max = 15 x (HRmax/HRrest). This method is considered to compare well with other common formulas. The units for VO2 max are milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL/kg/min)	For one individual around 3-4 minutes required for performed

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: MUHAMMAD SIKANDAR RAZA, MS-PT, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Jankowski M, Niedzielska A, Brzezinski M, Drabik J. Cardiorespiratory fitness in children: a simple screening test for population studies. Pediatr Cardiol. 2015 Jan;36(1):27-32. doi: 10.1007/s00246-014-0960-0. Epub 2014 Jul 29.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 28, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 23, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 23, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 23, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Exercise
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR&AHS/M.SIKANDARRAZ

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No