Effects of Neuromuscular Exercises on Motor Skills in Girls (MOVE-Girls)

Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Exercises on Gross Motor Skills in School Age Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial found that integrative neuromuscular exercises significantly improved gross motor skills in school-age girls compared to regular physical activity. The results support including structured neuromuscular training in physical education programs.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Motor Skills; Locomotor Activity; Objective Control Skills
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Training program

Detailed Description

The current study aims to determine the effects of eight-week integrated neuromuscular exercise implemented during physical education class in a primary school in lower elementary children on motor skills. The sample consisted of 52 second-grade students of the elementary school "Prva vojvodjanska brigada" from Novi Sad. Classes were randomly divided into the two groups: the intervention group (n=37) and the control group (n=35). The intervention group performed the integrated neuromuscular training program two times per week within the first ~15 min of physical education class consisting of a dynamic warm-up, basic exercises focused on increasing muscle strength and power, and secondary exercises focused on improving fundamental motor skills. The control group performed traditional physical education classes, also twice a week. To evaluate the effects of the experimental and control program, the following test batteries were used: for the assessment of motor skills Test of Gross Motor Development. Mixed model analysis of variance with repeated measures was used for statist analysis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 42
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Serbia
  • Novi Sad, Serbia, 21000
    • Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• female; second-grade of the elementary school; no injury or musculoskeletal disorders; without developmental disabilities.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of serious health conditions (including life-threatening diseases and developmental disabilities

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Integrated neuromuscular group; Participants performed the integrated neuromuscular training program two times per week within the first ~15 min of physical education class consisting of a dynamic warm-up, basic exercises focused on increasing muscle strength and power, and secondary exercises focused on improving fundamental motor skills.	Other: Training program; Participants performed the integrated neuromuscular training program two times per week within the first ~15 min of physical education class consisting of a dynamic warm-up, basic exercises focused on increasing muscle strength and power, and secondary exercises focused on improving fundamental motor skills.
Active Comparator: Active control group; The control group performed traditional physical education classes, also twice a week.	Other: Training program; Participants performed the integrated neuromuscular training program two times per week within the first ~15 min of physical education class consisting of a dynamic warm-up, basic exercises focused on increasing muscle strength and power, and secondary exercises focused on improving fundamental motor skills.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Locomotor skills - Test of Gross Motor Development - 2nd edition	Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd Edition (TGMD-2). The TGMD-2 has been widely used in previous research due to its high reliability and low measurement error, providing strong support for its effectiveness (Ulrich, 2000). Locomotor skills (run and horizontal jump) is especial skills in this battery and of great importance for monitoring the motor development of girls. Each task was performed twice by the child; a score of 1 was awarded for correct execution, whereas a score of 0 was given for incorrect performance. Each performance criterion was scored separately across two trials, and the scores were subsequently summed to obtain the final result. This overall score reflects the individual's current level of fundamental motor development. Higher scores indicate more proficient locomotor skills, whereas lower scores may suggest the presence of motor deficits.	8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Manipulative skills - Test of Gross Motor Development	Test of Gross Motor Development-2 has been widely used in previous research due to its high reliability and low measurement error, providing strong support for its effectiveness (Ulrich, 2000). Each task was performed twice by the child; a score of 1 was awarded for correct execution, whereas a score of 0 was given for incorrect performance. Higher scores indicate more proficient manipulative skills (catch, stationary dribble), whereas lower scores may suggest the presence of motor deficits.	8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Novi Sad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 30, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Children; Motor skills; TGMD-2
• Other Study ID Numbers: 52-02-29/2026-1; 003878910 2025 09418 003 000 0 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Autonomous Province of Vojvodina Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research)

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