A Classroom-based Intervention to Promote Physical Literacy in Children: ALPHYL Study Protocol

NCT ID: NCT05812118

Last Updated: 2023-12-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 285 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-05-01
• Study Completion Date: 2023-07-31

Brief Summary

The goal of this study, named the Active Learning for PHYsical Literacy (ALPHYL) study, was to describe a multicomponent class-based physically-active learning randomized control trial (RCT) in primary school children. The main purpose was to promote children's physical literacy, academic achievement and cognitive function. The ALPHYL study is mainly based on physical literacy, active school models and Supportive, Active, Autonomous, Fair and Enjoyable principles.

Detailed Description

The ALPHYL is an 8-10-week RCT that will be conducted in six primary schools (12 classes) in Valencia and its metropolitan area. Schools will be randomly assigned to the intervention or a waiting-list control group. After a 30 h in-person training course for teachers and weekly meetings in the three months of resource preparation, the ALPHYL intervention will be conducted in physical education (PE) and non-PE lessons by teachers. The intervention consists of at least three physically active learning sessions per day plus model-based PE classes. Its feasibility will be evaluated weekly according to the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. To assess its effectiveness, a pre-test, post-test and retention (8-10 weeks after the intervention) with primary outcomes (i.e. physical activity level, motor competence, perceived motor competence and physical literacy, motivation, perceived social support, academic achievement and cognitive function), secondary outcomes and covariates will be collected.

Conditions

Physical Activity

Keywords

Physical Literacy; Academic Achievement; Cognitive Function; Children; School-based Intervention

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Control group

Control group

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Experimental group

Physical active learning intervention

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Physical active learning

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will last for 8-10 weeks. The ALPHYL intervention will be conducted in physical education (PE) and non-PE lessons by teachers. In addition to the PE lessons, at least three physically active activities in subjects other than PE will be conducted every day (5 days per week), with a total duration of approximately 30 minutes of light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. The weekly dose of physically active learning will thus be 100-150 minutes, so that a volume of 800-1200 minutes is foreseen during the 8-10 weeks. The PE classes will also be conducted in a mix of cooperative learning, non-linear pedagogy and health-based PE.

Interventions

Physical active learning

The intervention will last for 8-10 weeks. The ALPHYL intervention will be conducted in physical education (PE) and non-PE lessons by teachers. In addition to the PE lessons, at least three physically active activities in subjects other than PE will be conducted every day (5 days per week), with a total duration of approximately 30 minutes of light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. The weekly dose of physically active learning will thus be 100-150 minutes, so that a volume of 800-1200 minutes is foreseen during the 8-10 weeks. The PE classes will also be conducted in a mix of cooperative learning, non-linear pedagogy and health-based PE.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants enrolled in 5th grade (i.e., 10-11 years old).
• Schools must have at least two groups of primary school 5th grade and the teachers involved in both agree to participate.
• Each class group includes at least 75% of the participants.
• Children must not have taken part in other physical activity promotion interventions in the two previous years.

Exclusion Criteria

• None.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 10 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 11 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Valencia

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Isaac Estevan, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Valencia

Locations

University of Valencia

Valencia, , Spain

Countries

Spain

References

Romero-Martinez J, Menescardi C, Ortega-Benavent N, Montalt-Garcia S, Barnett LM, Garcia-Masso X, Estevan I. Effects of a classroom-based intervention to promote physical literacy in children: the randomized and controlled ALPHYL Study. J Sci Med Sport. 2025 Oct;28(10):833-839. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.05.006. Epub 2025 May 22.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 40450427 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

UV1564606

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id