Frontiers in sports and active living
Effects of a physically active gamification program on cognitive function in primary school children
By Carcelén-Fraile MDC, Camacho-Illana A, Rusillo-Magdaleno A and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Regular physical activity is associated with improvements in cognitive function during childhood. Integrating physically active learning strategies, such as active gamification, into school settings may enhance cognitive processes while increasing student engagement. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials in primary education remains limited.
Aim
This study aimed to examine the effects of a physically active gamification program on concentration, selective attention, memory, and creativity in primary school children.
Methods
A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 children aged 8-11 years from six intact classes. Classes were randomly assigned to an experimental group, which completed a 12-week physically active gamification program during physical education lessons, or to a control group, which followed the standard curriculum. Concentration and selective attention were assessed using the D2 Test, creativity with the CREA Test, and immediate visual memory using a task adapted from the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS). Intervention effects were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, with group, time, and the group × time interaction as fixed effects and classroom included as a random effect to account for clustering. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d.