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Grade-Specific Effects of Recess HIIT and MICT on Classroom Attention-Related Behavior in Primary School Children

NCT07719803 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 144

Last updated 2026-08-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether structured exercise during school recess could improve observable classroom attention-related behavior in primary school children and whether the effects differed between grade levels.

A total of 144 third- and fifth-grade students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), or routine recess activity. The intervention lasted 6 weeks and was conducted three times per week during scheduled school recess. Each structured exercise session lasted 15 minutes, including warm-up, a 9-minute main exercise component, and cool-down.

Observable classroom attention-related behavior was assessed before and after the intervention using an automated video-based behavioral analysis system. The system evaluated observable indicators including head posture, eye gaze, eye opening or closing, and facial detection persistence. The study compared changes among the three groups and examined whether the effects of HIIT and MICT differed between third- and fifth-grade students.

Conditions

  • Classroom Attention-Related Behavior
  • School-Based Physical Activity

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

High-Intensity Interval Training During School Recess

Participants completed a structured high-intensity interval training program during scheduled school recess for 6 weeks, with three sessions per week and 18 sessions in total. Each 15-minute session included a 3-minute warm-up, a 9-minute main exercise component, and a 3-minute cool-down. The main component consisted of jumping jacks, cross jumps, vertical jumps, and burpees. Each movement was performed for 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds of recovery, using a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio. The sequence was completed twice, with a 1-minute rest between sets. Exercise intensity was monitored using heart rate monitors, and the target intensity during the main component was at least 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate.

BEHAVIORAL

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training During School Recess

Participants completed a structured moderate-intensity continuous training program during scheduled school recess for 6 weeks, with three sessions per week and 18 sessions in total. Each 15-minute session included a 3-minute warm-up, 9 minutes of continuous aerobic running, and a 3-minute cool-down. Exercise intensity was monitored using heart rate monitors, and the target intensity during the continuous running component was maintained at 60% to 69% of age-predicted maximal heart rate. Running speed and rhythm were adjusted according to real-time heart rate responses and participant tolerance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Shanghai University of Sport

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
8 Years
Max Age
12 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-07-23
Primary Completion
2024-09-20
Completion
2024-09-20

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07719803 on ClinicalTrials.gov