ChildrenNCT06943222
Comparative Effects of Traditional Play and Free Play in Primary School Children
A study testing Traditional Play in people with Children, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Childhood play is crucial for the comprehensive development of children, as it fosters social and emotional skills. This study examines the relative effects of conventional games versus unstructured play on the social interaction and physical fitness of elementary school students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 5 to 9 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Children
- What is being tested?
- Traditional Play
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 104 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 17 Apr 2025to 1 Oct 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 5 to 9 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Participants must be within the age range of 5 to 9 years.
- Currently enrolled in a primary school program.
- Both male and female participants are included.
- Participants must have parental or guardian consent to participate in the study.
- Participants must be regularly attending primary school without prolonged absences
Who cannot join
- Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy).
- Neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, developmental delay).
- Orthopedic disorders (e.g., fractures, joint disorders).
- Diabetes or other metabolic syndrome conditions.
- Chronic health conditions affecting physical activity participation.
- Engaged in organized sports or structured physical activities outside of the primary school curriculum
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Traditional Play and Free Play on Motor Fitness and Social Interaction in Primary School Children
Childhood play is crucial for the comprehensive development of children, as it fosters social and emotional skills. This study examines the relative effects of conventional games versus unstructured play on the social interaction and physical fitness of elementary school students. This study aims to explore the impact of traditional games and free play on motor fitness and social interaction among primary school children and also seeks to offer insights into how these activities can benefit physical health and social development in the school environment. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted to evaluate the comparative effects of traditional play and free play on motor fitness and social interaction in primary school children. Study will include 104 children with aged 5 to 9 and take place in Sukkur schools for a duration of 10 months.
Traditional play groups and free play groups. The Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS) will be utilized to evaluate social interaction. The statistical software SPSS version 27.00 will be used to analyze the data.
Read the detailed description
Childhood play is crucial for the comprehensive development of children, as it fosters social and emotional skills that equip them to face challenges throughout their lives, from infancy to adulthood. This study examines the relative effects of conventional games versus unstructured play on the social interaction and physical fitness of elementary school students. Traditional games, marked by organized rules, and free play, characterized by spontaneous, unstructured activities, are represented by different types of play that affect social behaviors and motor skills.
Understanding these effects is essential, as participating in physical activities not only boosts physical health but also influences cognitive and social skills, which are important for long-term mental and physical well-being. This study aims to explore the impact of traditional games and free play on motor fitness and social interaction among primary school children and also seeks to offer insights into how these activities can benefit physical health and social development in the school environment. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted to evaluate the comparative effects of traditional play and free play on motor fitness and social interaction in primary school children. This study will include children aged 5 to 9 and take place in Sukkur schools for a duration of 10 months.
Traditional play groups will partake in organized conventional activities that are included in their schedule, while free play groups will involve themselves in unregulated spontaneous play. The participants will be segregated into 2 distinct groups. The flamingo balance tests (FLA) will be used to assess motor fitness related to balance; the standing long jump (SLJ) test for measuring leaping distance; the plate tapping (PTT) for evaluating movement speed; the obstacle course backwards (OCB) for assessing body coordination; and the shuttle run test 4 × 5 m (SRT) for measuring speed and agility. The Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS) will be utilized to evaluate social interaction. The statistical software SPSS version 27.00 will be used to analyze the data.
- Conditions
- Children
- Being tested
- Traditional Play
- Keywords
- Childhood, Motor skills, Social skills, Traditional games
- Medical subject headings
- Social Skills
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Traditional PlayOther
The intervention for the traditional play group included activities such as Shtapu and skipping rope. Both traditional play activities were scheduled 3 times per week (3 Session/week) over the 6-month period.
Both activities took place outdoors and in the institutional gymnasium, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Each session lasted 35 minutes and took place in the morning hours (8-11 a.m.). Prior to each type of activity, a specific warm-up was conducted, following methodological guidelines for preschoolers' physical education.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Play | Experimental | Traditional play groups will partake in organized conventional activities that are included in their schedule Receives: Other: Traditional Play |
| Free play | No intervention | free play groups will involve themselves in unregulated spontaneous play. The participants will be segregated into 2 distinct groups. The flamingo balance tests (FLA) will be used to assess motor fitness related to balance; the standing long jump (SLJ) test for measuring leaping distance; the plate tapping (PTT) for evaluating movement speed; the obstacle course backwards (OCB) for assessing body coordination; and the shuttle run test 4 × 5 m (SRT) for measuring speed and agility. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS)
Surveys measuring social skills from kindergarten through the 12th grade are conducted through the Social Skills Rating System. In the SSRS there are 3 rating forms are included: teacher, parent, and student. Problem behavior is evaluated by the teacher and parent forms, with a special emphasis on externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and hyperactivity issues. Lastly, the teacher form assesses motivation, parental support, reading and math proficiency, as well as cognitive functioning in order to determine academic competency
Measured: 6 week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Apr 2025
- Study start17 Apr 2025
- Primary completion17 Sep 2025
- Study completion1 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ChildrenStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 104 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Maria Amjad, MSPT(Peads), Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06943222
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR/AHS/24/0741
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Traditional Play and Free Play on Motor Fitness and Social Interaction in Primary School Children
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06943222
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR/AHS/24/0741
- Conditions
- Children
- Keywords
- Childhood, Motor skills, Social skills, Traditional games
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 104 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Childhood play is crucial for the comprehensive development of children, as it fosters social and emotional skills. This study examines the relative effects of conventional games versus unstructured play on the social interaction and physical fitness of elementary school students. This study aims to explore the impact of traditional games and free play on motor fitness and social interaction among primary school children and also seeks to offer insights into how these activities can benefit physical health and social development in the school environment. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted to evaluate the comparative effects of traditional play and free play on motor fitness and social interaction in primary school children. Study will include 104 children with aged 5 to 9 and take place in Sukkur schools for a duration of 10 months.
Traditional play groups and free play groups. The Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS) will be utilized to evaluate social interaction. The statistical software SPSS version 27.00 will be used to analyze the data.
Detailed description
Childhood play is crucial for the comprehensive development of children, as it fosters social and emotional skills that equip them to face challenges throughout their lives, from infancy to adulthood. This study examines the relative effects of conventional games versus unstructured play on the social interaction and physical fitness of elementary school students. Traditional games, marked by organized rules, and free play, characterized by spontaneous, unstructured activities, are represented by different types of play that affect social behaviors and motor skills.
Understanding these effects is essential, as participating in physical activities not only boosts physical health but also influences cognitive and social skills, which are important for long-term mental and physical well-being. This study aims to explore the impact of traditional games and free play on motor fitness and social interaction among primary school children and also seeks to offer insights into how these activities can benefit physical health and social development in the school environment. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted to evaluate the comparative effects of traditional play and free play on motor fitness and social interaction in primary school children. This study will include children aged 5 to 9 and take place in Sukkur schools for a duration of 10 months.
Traditional play groups will partake in organized conventional activities that are included in their schedule, while free play groups will involve themselves in unregulated spontaneous play. The participants will be segregated into 2 distinct groups. The flamingo balance tests (FLA) will be used to assess motor fitness related to balance; the standing long jump (SLJ) test for measuring leaping distance; the plate tapping (PTT) for evaluating movement speed; the obstacle course backwards (OCB) for assessing body coordination; and the shuttle run test 4 × 5 m (SRT) for measuring speed and agility. The Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS) will be utilized to evaluate social interaction. The statistical software SPSS version 27.00 will be used to analyze the data.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Play | Experimental | Other: Traditional PlayTraditional play groups will partake in organized conventional activities that are included in their schedule |
| Free play | No intervention | –free play groups will involve themselves in unregulated spontaneous play. The participants will be segregated into 2 distinct groups. The flamingo balance tests (FLA) will be used to assess motor fitness related to balance; the standing long jump (SLJ) test for measuring leaping distance; the plate tapping (PTT) for evaluating movement speed; the obstacle course backwards (OCB) for assessing body coordination; and the shuttle run test 4 × 5 m (SRT) for measuring speed and agility. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 5 to 9 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Participants must be within the age range of 5 to 9 years.
- Currently enrolled in a primary school program.
- Both male and female participants are included.
- Participants must have parental or guardian consent to participate in the study.
- Participants must be regularly attending primary school without prolonged absences
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy).
- Neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, developmental delay).
- Orthopedic disorders (e.g., fractures, joint disorders).
- Diabetes or other metabolic syndrome conditions.
- Chronic health conditions affecting physical activity participation.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional PlayThe intervention for the traditional play group included activities such as Shtapu and skipping rope. Both traditional play activities were scheduled 3 times per week (3 Session/week) over the 6-month period. Both activities took place outdoors and in the institutional gymnasium, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Each session lasted 35 minutes and took place in the morning hours (8-11 a.m.). Prior to each type of activity, a specific warm-up was conducted, following methodological guidelines for preschoolers' physical education. | Other | Traditional Play |
Primary outcome
Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS)
Time frame: 6 week
Surveys measuring social skills from kindergarten through the 12th grade are conducted through the Social Skills Rating System. In the SSRS there are 3 rating forms are included: teacher, parent, and student. Problem behavior is evaluated by the teacher and parent forms, with a special emphasis on externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and hyperactivity issues. Lastly, the teacher form assesses motivation, parental support, reading and math proficiency, as well as cognitive functioning in order to determine academic competency
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Maria Amjad, MSPT(Peads) principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Traditional Play in people with Children, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS) (time frame: 6 week). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Dec 2025.