Effects of a 12-Week Recreational Football Program on Physical Activity Determinants in Adolescents

Effects of a 12-Week Recreational Football Program on Predisposing, Enabling, and Reinforcing Determinants of Physical Activity in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial Based on the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model

Randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of a 12-week recreational football program on behavioral, psychosocial, environmental, and physical determinants of physical activity in male adolescents aged 10-13 years.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Physical Inactivity
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Recreational Football Program

Detailed Description

Participants will randomized into an experimental group receiving a 12-week recreational football program (24 sessions; two 60-minute sessions per week composed of warm-up activities and small-sided game-based soccer drills) or a control group maintaining usual routines. The intervention emphasizes enjoyment, inclusion, and game-like activities and is supervised by trained staff. Heart rate and GPS metrics will monitored in a subsample, and perceived exertion and pleasure will recorded after all sessions.

Assessments will conducted at baseline and post-intervention across three separate laboratory and field visits. Measures include sociodemographic data, perceived health, psychosocial determinants (motivation via BREQ-2, self-perception via EAPH-A, self-efficacy, attitudes, social support from parents and peers), accelerometry-based physical activity (ActiGraph GT3X; Evenson cut-points), and habitual movement behaviors. Physical assessments include anthropometry, body composition (DXA), maturation (Maturity offset), aerobic fitness (Yo-Yo IR1C), global motor competence (KTK), ball coordination skills (TCMB), and cognitive function (Tower of Hanoi). Environmental perceptions and socioeconomic status are also evaluated. The study follows a pre-post parallel-group design based on the Youth Physical Activity Promotion (YPAP) model and aims to examine changes in predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing determinants of physical activity among adolescents.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Isabela F Soares, MSc.; Phone Number: +55 21981354639; Email: isabelafreire12@hotmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Fabricio V A Vasconcellos, Dr.; Phone Number: +55 21979907444; Email: fabriciovav@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Brazil
  • Rio de Janeiro
    • Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 27.537-000
      • State University of Rio de Janeiro
      • Contact: Fabricio V A Vasconcellos, Dr.; Phone Number: +55 21 979907444; Email: fabriciovav@gmail.com
      • Sub-Investigator: Deborah T Gonet, MSc.
      • Principal Investigator: Isabela F Soares, MSc.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• male adolescents;
• age 10-13 years;
• medical clearance for physical activity;
• availability for 12-week intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of any clinical diagnosis that may interfere the performance of assessments or the intervention (including musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, pulmonary, or cardiac disorders);
• attendance < 85% of sessions (intervention group).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants maintain their regular daily routine with no structured physical activity program. After study completion, they are invited to participate in football sessions.
Experimental: Recreational Football Program; Two 60-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks. Sessions include 10 minutes of warm-up and 50 minutes of small-sided game-based football activities, monitored through heart rate sensors and GPS in a subsample. Ratings of perceived exertion and pleasure are collected after each session.	Behavioral: Recreational Football Program; The intervention consists of a 12-week recreational football program delivered twice per week at the university's outdoor soccer field. Each 60-minute session includes a 10-minute warm-up followed by 50 minutes of small-sided, game-based football activities. Sessions are led by two trained coaches and an assistant under the supervision of the principal investigator. Heart rate is monitored using Polar H10 sensors, and a subsample of participants is tracked with GPS devices (GPEXE System) to quantify total distance and intensity zones. At the end of each session, participants report ratings of perceived exertion (Borg CR-10 Scale) and exercise enjoyment, providing immediate physiological and psychological response markers.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity (MVPA)	Minutes per day spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity, measured using ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers and classified according to Evenson cut-points.	Baseline and 12 weeks.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Total Body Mass	Total body mass will be measured using a digital electronic scale Filizola (model ID 1500; capacity: 150 kg; accuracy: 100 g). Measurements will be recorded in kilograms (kg).	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Standing and Sitting Height	Standing height will be measured using a vertical stadiometer Sanny (model ES2020; millimetric scale; range up to 2.20 m), with the participant standing barefoot in the orthostatic position and the head aligned in the Frankfurt plane. Values will be recorded in centimeters (cm). Sitting height will be measured with the participant seated on a rigid bench of known height, hips and knees flexed at 90°, buttocks and posterior thighs supported, and head aligned in the Frankfurt plane. Values will be recorded in centimeters (cm).	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Body Mass Index (BMI)	Body Mass Index (BMI) will be calculated using measured total body mass and standing height, following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (2007). Participants will be classified according to age- and sex-specific BMI nutritional status categories. Values will be expressed in kg/m².	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Waist Circumference	Waist circumference will be measured using a metal measuring tape. Values will be recorded in centimeters (cm).	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR)	The waist-to-height ratio will be calculated using measured waist circumference and standing height.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Body Fat Percentage	Body fat percentage will be assessed by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) using a Lunar scanner from GE Healthcare. The device will be calibrated according to manufacturer guidelines. Participants will remain in the supine position, motionless, with upper and lower limbs aligned. Scans will be performed in high resolution and analyzed by the same trained technician.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Cardiorespiratory Fitness (Yo-Yo IR1C)	Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 adapted for children (Yo-Yo IR1C). The protocol consists of repeated 16-meter shuttle runs interspersed with a 4-meter active recovery zone and 10-second rest periods. Running pace is controlled by audio cues from a dedicated application, with progressive speed increments until voluntary exhaustion. Maximum heart rate (HRmax) will be recorded using a heart rate sensor Polar Electro (model H10). Test termination will occur when the participant fails to reach the designated line twice consecutively or demonstrates significant fatigue. Results will be used to estimate VO₂max and HRmax.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Motor Competence (KTK)	Motor competence will be assessed using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK), developed by Klaus Kiphard and Friedhelm Schilling. The battery consists of four subtests evaluating distinct components of motor coordination: (1) dynamic balance through walking on beams of different widths; (2) speed and rhythm through two-foot lateral jumps performed for 15 seconds; (3) strength and motor control through single-leg jumps over progressively higher foam obstacles; and (4) lateral agility using two moving platforms over a fixed 20-second interval. Raw scores from each subtest will be converted into age- and sex-adjusted standardized scores and summed to generate a global motor index. All assessments will be conducted by trained evaluators to ensure procedural standardization and data reliability.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Ball Motor Coordination (TCMB)	Ball motor coordination will be assessed using the Teste de Coordenação Motora com Bola (TCMB), developed by Ribas et al. (2020). The protocol includes four timed tasks involving different ball-related movement patterns: (1) ball transport with the feet in a back-and-forth course; (2) dynamic balance on a beam while manipulating a ball with the hands; (3) ball dribbling with the feet along a marked straight line; and (4) movement around cones while alternating ball control with upper and lower limbs. Task times will be converted into standardized scores based on age-appropriate norms, and the final score will be calculated as the mean performance across all four tasks. Assessments will be conducted by trained evaluators to ensure procedural standardization and data reliability.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Cognitive Function (Tower of Hanoi)	Cognitive function will be assessed using the three-disk Tower of Hanoi task. The test consists of a base with three pegs and three disks of different sizes and colors, initially stacked on the left peg with the smallest disk on top. Participants must transfer the entire tower to the right peg while following two rules: only one disk may be moved at a time, and a larger disk may not be placed on top of a smaller one. The entire procedure will be video recorded to allow quantification of the total number of moves and the total time required to complete the task.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Perceived Health Status	Perceived health status will be assessed through a single question using a 5-point Likert scale. Adolescents will classify their health as: (1) poor, (2) fair, (3) good, (4) very good, or (5) excellent. Higher scores indicate better perceived health.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Motivation for Physical Activity (BREQ-2)	Motivation for physical activity will be assessed using the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2), adapted for Portuguese. The questionnaire consists of items distributed across subscales evaluating amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, integrated regulation, and intrinsic motivation. Participants will respond on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "Not true for me" to "Very true for me." Scores will be calculated for each regulatory style to characterize participants' motivational profile toward physical activity.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Self-Perception and Motor Competence (EAPH-A)	Self-perception will be assessed using the Escala de Autopercepção de Harter para Adolescentes (EAPH-A), the Brazilian adaptation of the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA). The instrument comprises five specific domains of self-perception-school competence, social competence, athletic competence, physical appearance, and behavioral conduct-along with a global self-esteem score. The scale uses a structured alternative-response format with four response levels, in which participants first choose which of two hypothetical descriptions best resembles them and then indicate whether the statement is "very true for me" or "somewhat true for me." This response structure reduces social desirability bias and enhances self-reflection.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Social Support for Physical Activity	Social support for physical activity will be assessed using a 12-item scale that captures different forms of support provided by parents and friends. Considering a typical week, adolescents will report the frequency (never, rarely, often, always) with which parents and friends encourage them, practice together, watch, comment, discuss, invite them to be active, or provide/arrange transportation to physical activity locations. Higher scores reflect greater perceived social support for engaging in physical activity.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Perceived Environment for Physical Activity	Perception of the environment for physical activity will be assessed using a scale composed of three domains. An overall score will be created by summing the items within each domain. Scores will then be divided into tertiles, with higher tertiles indicating more favorable perceptions of the environment for engaging in physical activity.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Attitude Toward Physical Activity	Attitude toward physical activity will be assessed using a five-item semantic differential scale. Two items evaluate affective/emotional aspects and three evaluate instrumental aspects. Participants will rate bipolar adjective pairs (safe-unsafe, fun-boring, important-unimportant, healthy-harmful, good-bad) on a 4-point scale. Higher scores indicate a more positive attitude toward physical activity.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity	Self-efficacy for physical activity will be measured using a 12-item scale assessing confidence to engage in physical activity when facing commonly reported barriers. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 4 ("strongly agree"). Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy to be physically active.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Movement Behaviors (MOVE AF3)	Movement behaviors will be assessed using the MOVE AF3 questionnaire, developed within the Inquérito Alimentar Nacional e de Atividade Física (IAN-AF). The instrument characterizes habitual physical activity across multiple domains, including leisure and active transportation, and provides an estimate of total sedentary time.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Maturational Status (Maturity Offset / PHV)	Maturational status will be estimated using the Peak Height Velocity (PHV) prediction equation (Maturity Offset), which uses anthropometric variables including standing height, body mass, sitting height, leg length, chronological age, and sex. The method provides an estimate, in years, of the time before or after the individual's PHV.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Socioeconomic Level (Critério Brasil)	Socioeconomic status will be classified using the Critério Brasil, developed by the Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Pesquisa (ABEP). The instrument assesses household assets, access to services, and the educational level of the head of household, categorizing participants into economic strata ranging from A to E.	Baseline
School Physical Education Participation and Sports History	Information on school physical education participation and sports history will be collected using structured questions. Items will assess the number and duration of weekly physical education classes, the adolescent's level of active participation, and their sports history over the past five years, including type of activity, frequency, duration, and length of practice.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Sleep Characteristics (Structured Questions)	Sleep characteristics will be assessed using structured questions addressing typical sleep behaviors. Items will include usual bedtime, wake-up time, total sleep duration, sleep quality, difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep, and daytime tiredness. Responses will be used to characterize changes in sleep patterns before and after the intervention.	Baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hospital Universitario Pedro Ernesto
• Collaborators: Rio de Janeiro State Research Supporting Foundation (FAPERJ)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Evenson KR, Catellier DJ, Gill K, Ondrak KS, McMurray RG. Calibration of two objective measures of physical activity for children. J Sports Sci. 2008 Dec;26(14):1557-65. doi: 10.1080/02640410802334196.
• Zhao C, Yuan J, Huang WW. Multilevel determinants of physical activity in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis guided by social ecological model. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Jul 15;17(1):202. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01225-z.
• Vasconcellos F, Seabra A, Cunha F, Montenegro R, Penha J, Bouskela E, Nogueira Neto JF, Collett-Solberg P, Farinatti P. Health markers in obese adolescents improved by a 12-week recreational soccer program: a randomised controlled trial. J Sports Sci. 2016;34(6):564-75. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2015.1064150. Epub 2015 Jul 24.
• Belanger M, Giroux MA, Registe PPW, Gallant F, Jemaa S, Faivre P, Saucier D, Mekari S. Adolescent physical activity profiles as determinants of emerging adults' physical activity. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2025 Mar 25;22(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s12966-025-01732-9.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 15, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: physical activity; adolescents; determinants; recreational football; YPAP model
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Motor Activity; Sedentary Behavior
• Other Study ID Numbers: PA adolescents football

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared due to ethical restrictions related to research involving minors.

Drug and device information, study documents

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