The Pause, Learn, and Activate Yourself (PLAY)

Summary

Many children spend a large part of the school day sitting, which can limit their opportunities to be physically active. Regular physical activity is important for children's physical health, mental well-being, and positive attitudes toward movement. Schools represent an ideal setting to promote healthy behaviors, as they reach nearly all children on a daily basis.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of short, classroom-based Active Breaks on children attending primary school. Active Breaks are brief periods of physical activity integrated into regular classroom lessons. These activities are designed to be fun, safe, and easy to perform in the classroom, without reducing academic teaching time.

The main goal of the study is to assess whether participating in Active Breaks improves children's enjoyment of physical activity. Enjoyment is an important factor because children who find physical activity enjoyable are more likely to stay active over time. The study also examines whether Active Breaks influence physical activity levels, basic motor skills, physical fitness perception, attention and executive functions, vitality, and quality of life.

The intervention lasts 12 weeks and is carried out during the normal school timetable. In the intervention group, children perform one Active Break during each school hour. Each break lasts approximately 5 minutes and includes playful aerobic and strength-based movements that require little or no equipment. The activities are guided by classroom teachers, who receive specific training and materials before the start of the study. A comparison group continues with the usual classroom routine without Active Breaks.

Participation in the study is voluntary. Parents or legal guardians provide written informed consent, and children provide verbal assent. All activities are appropriate for primary school children and are conducted in a safe and supervised environment. Children may withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences.

The results of this study may help schools and policymakers understand whether simple, low-cost strategies such as Active Breaks can promote healthier and more active school days for children.

Conditions

• Children

Interventions

OTHER

Teacher-led Active Breaks

The intervention consists of classroom-based, teacher-led Active Breaks (ABs) integrated into regular school lessons. ABs are short bouts of physical activity aimed at reducing sedentary time and promoting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity without reducing instructional time. The intervention lasts 12 weeks and is delivered once every school hour. Each AB lasts approximately 5 minutes. All activities take place during the regular school timetable in primary school classrooms. ABs include standardized, playful aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises requiring little or no equipment and adaptable to classroom spaces. Activities are cognitively engaging and emphasize enjoyment, participation, and inclusiveness rather than performance. Classroom teachers deliver the ABs live after receiving standardized training and instructional materials to ensure consistent implementation with the video-guided group.

OTHER

Video-guided Active Breaks

The intervention consists of classroom-based Active Breaks (ABs), delivered through pre-recorded instructional videos integrated into regular school lessons. ABs are short bouts of physical activity aimed at reducing sedentary time and promoting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity without reducing instructional time. The intervention lasts 12 weeks and is delivered once every school hour. Each Active Break lasts approximately 5 minutes and is preceded by a brief introductory segment within the video. Activities are conducted during the regular school timetable in primary school classrooms. Video-guided ABs include standardized, playful aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises requiring little or no equipment and adaptable to classroom spaces. Activities are cognitively engaging and emphasize enjoyment, participation, and inclusiveness rather than performance. Classroom teachers facilitate transitions but do not actively lead the exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pavia

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Matteo Vandoni · University of Pavia

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-16

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-09-15