Comparison Between Plyometrics and Calisthenics on Executive Function in School Going Children

NCT ID: NCT06770192

Last Updated: 2025-01-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 99 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-12-12
• Study Completion Date: 2025-06-10

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of calisthenics and plyometric exercises on executive functions in school-going children. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Will calisthenics exercises have a better effect on executive functions compared to plyometric exercises in school-going children?
• How do these exercise interventions impact selective attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility in children?

Researchers will compare a calisthenics exercise group, a plyometric exercise group, and a control group (no intervention) to see if there are differences in executive function outcomes.

Participants will:

• Be male school-going children aged 8-12 years
• Be randomly assigned to one of three groups: calisthenics, plyometric, or control
• Complete baseline assessments of executive function
• Participate in their assigned exercise program 3 times per week for 8 weeks (exercise groups only)
• Complete follow-up assessments of executive function at 4 weeks and 8 weeks
• Perform tests measuring selective attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility

Detailed Description

Title: Comparison of Calisthenics and Plyometric Exercises on Executive Functions Among School-Going Children

This research study, conducted by Maria Javid at Riphah International University in Islamabad, aims to investigate how different types of exercise affect cognitive abilities in children. Specifically, it compares the effects of calisthenics (bodyweight exercises) and plyometrics (jump training) on executive functions in school-going children.

Executive functions are crucial cognitive skills that help children with tasks like planning, organizing, paying attention, and controlling impulses. These skills are essential for academic success and everyday life. The study seeks to understand if and how different exercise types can enhance these cognitive abilities.

Key Details:

• Participants: Male school-going children aged 8-12 years
• Duration: 8 weeks
• Location: Public and private schools in Islamabad, Pakistan

The study will involve three groups:

1. Calisthenics group: Performing bodyweight exercises

2. Plyometric group: Engaging in jumping and explosive movement exercises

3. Control group: No specific exercise intervention

Both exercise groups will participate in supervised sessions three times per week. The exercises are designed to be age-appropriate and safe for children.

Measurements:

Researchers will assess various aspects of executive function using standardized tests:

• Selective attention: Using the Children's Trail Making Test
• Working memory: Using Forward and Backward Digit Span Tests
• Inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility: Using the Stroop Test

These assessments will be conducted at the beginning of the study, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks to track changes over time.

Significance:

This study is important because it could provide valuable insights into how different types of exercise affect children's cognitive development. The results could inform physical education programs in schools and help parents and educators make informed decisions about children's physical activities.

Ethical Considerations:

The study has been approved by the university's ethics review board. Participation is voluntary, and parents must provide informed consent. All data will be kept confidential and coded to protect participants' identities.

Expected Outcomes:

The researchers hypothesize that calisthenics exercises may have a more significant positive effect on executive functions compared to plyometric exercises. However, both exercise types are expected to show improvements compared to the control group.

This research contributes to the growing field of exercise neuroscience and could have practical implications for child development, education, and public health policies related to physical activity in schools.

Conditions

Executive Function

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Plyometric

Session will start with 9 minutes of warm up which includes 4 minutes of jogging and moderate intensity dynamic stretching for 5 minutes.. And 9 minutes cool down period. Following Plyometrics would be performed:1 medicine ball squats 2.ABC pushups 3.Medicine ball chest press 4.standing jump reach for star 5.SINGLE leg hops 6.Pushup on knees 7.zig zag double jump

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Plyometric

Intervention Type: OTHER

: Session will start with 9 minutes of warm up which includes 4 minutes of jogging and moderate intensity dynamic stretching for 5 minutes.. And 9 minutes cool down period. Following Plyometrics would be performed:1 medicine ball squats 2.ABC pushups 3.Medicine ball chest press 4.standing jump reach for star 5.SINGLE leg hops 6.Pushup on knees 7.zig zag double jump

Calisthenics

Session will start with 9 minutes of warm up which includes 4 minutes of jogging and moderate intensity dynamic stretching for 5 minutes. Session would be of 8 minutes in which 1 minutes exercise and 1 minute rest is there. Exercise include bunny jumps, bear crawls , crab walk and mad cat and 9 minutes cool down period. This protocol would be follow up to 8 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Calisthenics

Intervention Type: OTHER

Session will start with 9 minutes of warm up which includes 4 minutes of jogging and moderate intensity dynamic stretching for 5 minutes. Session would be of 8 minutes in which 1 minutes exercise and 1 minute rest is there. Exercise include bunny jumps, bear crawls , crab walk and mad cat and 9 minutes cool down period. This protocol would be follow up to 8 weeks.

Control

compare with other groups

Group Type: OTHER

Control

Intervention Type: OTHER

compare with other groups

Interventions

Calisthenics

Session will start with 9 minutes of warm up which includes 4 minutes of jogging and moderate intensity dynamic stretching for 5 minutes. Session would be of 8 minutes in which 1 minutes exercise and 1 minute rest is there. Exercise include bunny jumps, bear crawls , crab walk and mad cat and 9 minutes cool down period. This protocol would be follow up to 8 weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Plyometric

: Session will start with 9 minutes of warm up which includes 4 minutes of jogging and moderate intensity dynamic stretching for 5 minutes.. And 9 minutes cool down period. Following Plyometrics would be performed:1 medicine ball squats 2.ABC pushups 3.Medicine ball chest press 4.standing jump reach for star 5.SINGLE leg hops 6.Pushup on knees 7.zig zag double jump

Intervention Type: OTHER

Control

compare with other groups

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.
• Male School Going Children (8-12 Years of Age)
• Normal BMI of School Going Children
• No Recent Musculoskeletal Injury.
• Not Actively Engaged in Other Sports

Exclusion Criteria

• Children with any mental or physical disability.
• Children with acute illness or fracture
• Active Inflammation or infections
• Any physical deformity

• Minimum Eligible Age: 8 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 12 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Waqar Ahmed Awan Principal Investigator, phD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Different Schools

Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Pakistan

Central Contacts

Waqar Ahmed Awan Phd

Role: CONTACT

waqar.ahmed@riphah.edu.pk

+923335348846

Facility Contacts

Waqar Ahmed Awan Principal Investigator, phD

Role: primary

waqar.ahmed@riphah.edu.pk

0923335348846

Other Identifiers

RiphahRCRAHS-ISBRECMS-PT01917

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id