Effects of a 12-Week Dance Intervention on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function in Female College Students

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology108 enrolled

Overview

This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week dance intervention on physical fitness and cognitive function in female college students. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 108 first-year female college students from two intact physical education classes. The two classes were assigned to either a dance intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a 12-week dance program during university physical education classes, while participants in the control group continued their regular physical education program. Physical fitness was assessed using lung capacity, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run tests. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Assessments were conducted before and after the 12-week intervention to compare changes between the two groups.

This study was designed as a 12-week cluster-randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of dance participation on physical fitness and cognitive function among female college students. Participants were recruited from two intact physical education classes at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. A total of 108 eligible first-year female students participated in the study. Randomization was performed at the class level. The two intact classes were randomly allocated to either the experimental group (n=54) or the control group (n=54). The experimental group participated in a structured dance intervention during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The dance program emphasized rhythmic movement, repeated practice of dance steps and turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines. The control group continued the regular university physical education program, which included activities such as running, ball games, and general fitness exercises. Physical fitness and cognitive function were assessed before and after the intervention. Physical fitness assessments included lung capacity, sit-and-reach flexibility, standing long jump, 50-m sprint, and 1000-m run. Cognitive assessments included the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The study compared changes from baseline to post-intervention between the experimental and control groups.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Interventions

12-Week Dance InterventionBEHAVIORAL

A structured dance program delivered during university physical education classes for 12 weeks. The intervention focused on rhythmic movement, dance steps, turns, coordination, expressive movement, and short dance routines.

Regular Physical EducationBEHAVIORAL

Participants continued their regular university physical education program during the 12-week study period, including running, ball games, fitness drills, and general skill practice.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 20 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Female students aged 18-20 years. First-year college students enrolled in one of the two participating physical education classes. No formal dance training during the previous six months. Medically able to participate in moderate-intensity exercise, as confirmed by the university annual health screening. Able and willing to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosed neurological or psychological disorders that could affect cognitive testing. Major musculoskeletal injuries that could interfere with participation in physical activity. Cardiovascular conditions or other contraindications that could make exercise unsafe. Language or cognitive difficulties preventing valid completion of questionnaires or cognitive tests. Failure to meet the inclusion criteria or refusal to participate before allocation.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Lung Capacity

Lung capacity was measured in milliliters (mL) using the standardized National Student Physical Health Standard (2014 Revision). Higher values indicate greater lung capacity. Change from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention was assessed.