Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program in Primary School Physical Education

University of Jaén176 enrolled

Overview

This study evaluates the effects of an 8-week gamified cooperative exergaming program implemented during regular physical education lessons in primary school children. Participants were assigned by classroom to either an experimental group, which completed "The Movement League" program integrating dance-based exergames, cooperative learning, and gamification, or a control group, which received conventional physical education. The study aims to determine whether this multicomponent intervention improves motivation toward physical education, increases habitual physical activity, and reduces sedentary behavior compared with standard physical education.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

176

Conditions

Physical Activity

Interventions

Experimental Group: An 8-week behavioral intervention delivered during regular physical education lessons (two 50-minute sessions per week; 16 sessions in total). The program integrated dance-based exergaming, cooperative learning, gamification, and symbolic rewards within a structured pedagogical framework. Sessions included choreographed exergames, cooperative motor challenges, progressive narrative levels, and group-based goals designed to promote autonomous motivation toward physical education, increase habitual physical activity, and reduce sedentary behavior in primary school children.

Conventional Physical EducationOTHER

Standard school physical education delivered over 8 weeks (two 50-minute sessions per week) using the regular curriculum and conventional teaching methods. Classes included traditional physical education activities without exergaming, gamification, or structured cooperative learning strategies.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 8 YearsMax age: 12 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 8 to 12 years. * Enrolled in grades 3 to 6 of primary school. * Able to participate safely in regular physical education classes. * Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian. * Verbal assent provided by the participant. Exclusion Criteria: * Physical pathology or medical contraindication preventing safe participation in physical activity. * Formal diagnosis of severe learning difficulties or developmental disorders. * Failure to complete the outcome assessments at both baseline and post-intervention. * Attendance at fewer than 14 of the 16 intervention sessions (less than 85% adherence).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Motivation Toward Physical Education

Change in motivation toward physical education measured using the Perceived Locus of Causality Scale-2 (PLOC-2). The PLOC-2 assesses intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation, and amotivation. Each subscale score ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating higher levels of the corresponding motivational regulation.

Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Habitual Physical Activity

Change in habitual physical activity measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The PAQ-C provides an overall activity score ranging from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating higher habitual physical activity levels.

Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Sedentary Behavior

Change in sedentary behavior measured using the Adolescent Sedentary Activity Questionnaire (ASAQ). The ASAQ estimates the time spent in sedentary activities, reported in minutes (or hours) per day. Higher values indicate greater sedentary behavior (worse outcome).

Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Gamified Cooperative Exergaming Program in Primary School Physical Education

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes