MOVI-OLE! [Open Learning Environments]

NCT ID: NCT07103343

Last Updated: 2025-08-08

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 500 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-09-01
• Study Completion Date: 2028-08-31

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of MOVI-OLE! (Open Learning Environment), a school-based intervention designed to reduce sedentary time and enhance multiple aspects of child development, including cognitive function, physical fitness, body composition, psychological well-being, and student engagement. The intervention combines dynamic classroom furniture with student-centered teaching practices. Additionally, a qualitative component will explore how students, teachers, and families perceive the feasibility and acceptability of implementing MOVI-OLE! in real-world school settings.

Detailed Description

This study builds on a series of previous school-based interventions (MOVI, MOVI-KIDS, MOVI-da10!, MOVI-HIIT) developed by the research team to promote physical activity and improve health outcomes in children across different educational stages. The new intervention, MOVI-OLE! (Open Learning Environments), aims to address high levels of sedentary behavior during the school day-a growing public health concern associated with poor cardiometabolic health, reduced attention span, and lower psychological well-being in children.

MOVI-OLE! introduces structural and pedagogical changes in the classroom by implementing dynamic learning zones-areas with mobile desks, active seating (e.g., stability balls, stools), standing desks, and wall-mounted writable boards. These physical modifications are supported by teacher training in student-centered pedagogy to promote an active and participatory learning environment.

The intervention will be evaluated through a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial involving 10 public primary schools in Ciudad Real, Spain. All schools will eventually implement the intervention but in a staggered sequence across two academic years. The primary study population includes students aged 10-12 years (5th and 6th grades of primary education). A pilot phase will precede the main trial to test feasibility and refine procedures.

A mixed-methods approach will be used to assess the impact of the intervention on behavioral, physical, cognitive, emotional, and academic outcomes, as well as to explore perceptions from students, teachers, and families regarding implementation challenges and facilitators.

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior; Physical Activity; Cognitive Function; Mental Health; Childhood Obesity; Academic Performance; Executive Function; Health-Related Quality of Life; School Engagement; Cardiometabolic Risk; Classroom Design; Educational Innovation; Physical Fitness; Blood Pressure; Adiposity; Psychological Well-Being

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Traditional Classroom (Control Group)

Students in the control group will continue with their usual classroom activities and teaching methodology, without any changes to the furniture or pedagogical approaches during the first year of the study. Teachers in the control group schools will be asked to maintain their standard teaching practices throughout the control period. Traditional classrooms consist of conventional desks and chairs arranged in rows facing the front, with teaching generally teacher-centered. Students usually work individually on assigned tasks.

For ethical and motivational reasons, this control group will receive the intervention starting in the second academic year.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

MOVI-OLE! -Open Learning Environment- (Intervention Group)

Students in the intervention group will experience a classroom environment modified with furniture designed to promote physical activity, alongside the implementation of student-centered teaching methodologies (MOVI-OLE!). Teachers in the intervention group schools will be trained and supported to apply these new methodologies during the school day throughout the study period. The research team will monitor the implementation and provide ongoing assistance to ensure fidelity to the intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

MOVI-OLE intervention

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

In the MOVI-OLE! classrooms, traditional desks and chairs will be replaced by three dynamic learning zones:

A) Dynamic seating: an area with traditional wheeled desks combined with dynamic seats such as fitballs, stools, pedal desks, etc.; B) Standing desks: an area with manually adjustable high desks to allow standing work. Students will also have stools with small backrests and footrests for when they need to sit; C) Vertical boards: vertical boards (vinyl, paper, chalkboard paint, etc.) installed on walls for standing work.

To facilitate use and adapt to classroom routines, teachers will decide how to distribute students among the different zones, with the requirement that all students spend at least 20 minutes per school day in zone B.

In addition to the workstations, teachers will receive training and didactic support materials focused on student-centered methodologies and the use of open learning spaces.

Interventions

MOVI-OLE intervention

In the MOVI-OLE! classrooms, traditional desks and chairs will be replaced by three dynamic learning zones:

A) Dynamic seating: an area with traditional wheeled desks combined with dynamic seats such as fitballs, stools, pedal desks, etc.; B) Standing desks: an area with manually adjustable high desks to allow standing work. Students will also have stools with small backrests and footrests for when they need to sit; C) Vertical boards: vertical boards (vinyl, paper, chalkboard paint, etc.) installed on walls for standing work.

To facilitate use and adapt to classroom routines, teachers will decide how to distribute students among the different zones, with the requirement that all students spend at least 20 minutes per school day in zone B.

In addition to the workstations, teachers will receive training and didactic support materials focused on student-centered methodologies and the use of open learning spaces.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

MOVI-OLE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Schools in Ciudad Real (Castilla-La Mancha region) with at least one classroom in both 5rd and 6th grades of Primary Education.
• Schools currently involved in educational innovation projects that aim to transform classrooms and apply student-centered pedagogical approaches.
• Schools whose School Council has approved participation in the MOVI-OLE! intervention and in baseline and final evaluations.
• Students enrolled in 5rd or 6th grade of Primary Education.
• Students without any condition that, according to families, pediatricians, or teachers, prevents participation in the MOVI-OLE! intervention.
• Students with signed informed consent from a parent or legal guardian for participation in the study activities and assessments.
• Students who verbally agree to participate in baseline and final physical assessments.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 9 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 13 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Castilla-La Mancha

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Mairena Sánchez-López, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Locations

Social and Health Research Center. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

Cuenca, , Spain

Countries

Spain

Central Contacts

Mairena Sánchez-López, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Mairena.Sanchez@uclm.es

926052506

María Eugenia Visier-Alfonso, PhD

Role: CONTACT

MariaEugenia.Visier@uclm.es

926053955

Other Identifiers

PID2023-148183OB-I00

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id