Learning DisabilitiesNCT07230093
Exercise and Physical Fitness in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities
A study testing Combined Exercise Program in people with Learning Disabilities, run by Bartın Unıversity at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Specific learning disabilities (SLD) are characterized by difficulties in reading, comprehension, arithmetic, and written expression, often accompanied by impairments in motor skills, balance, and coordination. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 7 to 14 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Learning Disabilities
- What is being tested?
- Combined Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 18 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Nov 2025to 15 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 7 to 14 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Exercise Group: Children aged 7-14 years diagnosed with Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD), with signed parental consent and child assent form
- Control Group: Children aged 7-14 years without SLD (healthy), with signed parental consent and child assent form
Who cannot join
- Children with physical disabilities preventing participation
- Children unable to cooperate with the assessments
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Bartın University, Vocational School of Health Services
Bartın, Bartın, 74100
Meryem Sevim, Dr., +905536104510, msevim@bartin.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Combined Exercise Training on Physical Fitness Parameters in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities
Specific learning disabilities (SLD) are characterized by difficulties in reading, comprehension, arithmetic, and written expression, often accompanied by impairments in motor skills, balance, and coordination. However, physical difficulties in children with SLD are often overlooked in educational settings, and parental awareness of these issues remains limited.
This study aims to examine the effect of an 8-week combined exercise program-including balance, strength, and stretching exercises-on the physical fitness of children aged 7-14 years with SLD. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group.
Read more
The exercise intervention will be conducted three times per week for 45 minutes per session over eight weeks. Physical fitness will be evaluated through standardized field-based measures of balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS 26.0, employing Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U, independent t-test, and paired t-test as appropriate.
The study is expected to emphasize the importance of physical activity for children with SLD and promote the inclusion of physiotherapy-based exercise programs in individualized support plans.
Primary Outcome Question: Does an 8-week combined exercise program improve balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance-key components of physical fitness-in children with specific learning disabilities compared to a control group?
Read the detailed description
The term "Learning Disability" refers to difficulties in achieving expected academic performance in specific areas despite normal intelligence. In Turkey, learning disabilities encompass difficulties in one or more cognitive processes necessary for understanding and using language, either written or spoken. These difficulties may manifest in listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, attention, or mathematical operations.
Children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) often experience not only academic difficulties but also deficits in motor skills, balance, and coordination. Physical fitness, defined as the ability to perform daily activities efficiently and safely, depends on multiple parameters including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility. Regular exercise can improve these parameters, supporting children's physical, social, and cognitive development.
Despite the importance of physical fitness, studies on exercise interventions in SLD children are limited and mostly focus on balance. There is a lack of research investigating comprehensive combined exercise programs addressing multiple fitness components simultaneously.
The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a combined exercise program on physical fitness parameters in children with SLD aged 7-14 years. The primary objectives are:
To improve flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility.
To prevent deficits in gross and fine motor skills commonly observed in children with SLD.
To increase parental awareness of the importance of physical exercise in children with learning disabilities.
To provide a home-based exercise guide for children and parents to promote sustainable physical activity.
This randomized controlled study will be conducted in Bartın, Turkey, with 18 participants diagnosed with SLD according to official assessments. Participants will be randomly assigned to the exercise group, which will receive the combined exercise program, or to the control group, which will not receive intervention. Physical fitness parameters will be measured before and after the intervention to evaluate changes.
The combined exercise program consists of 8 weeks of progressive training, three times per week, 45 minutes per session, including warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down phases. Exercises target all major muscle groups and incorporate strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, speed, and agility components.
Hypothesis: H0: "Combined exercise training has a significant positive effect on the physical fitness parameters of children with SLD." The novelty of this study lies in addressing physical fitness comprehensively in SLD children, beyond academic interventions, and promoting sustainable exercise habits. Results are expected to contribute to both the scientific literature and practical guidance for education and rehabilitation programs for children with learning disabilities.
- Conditions
- Learning Disabilities
- Being tested
- Combined Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Learning Disability, Physical Fitness, Combined Exercise, Children, Exercise Intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Learning Disabilities
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Combined Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Participants perform a combined exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed before and after the intervention. This program aims to improve gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness in children with specific learning difficulties.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants receive a combined exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed before and after the intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Combined Exercise Program |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants do not receive any intervention. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed at the same time points as the exercise group. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Balance Performance (Flamingo Balance Test)
Description: Static balance will be assessed using the Flamingo Balance Test from the Eurofit Test Battery. Participants will stand on one leg on a narrow beam, and the number of falls within 1 minute will be recorded.
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Unit of Measure: Number of falls (count)
Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better balance.
Measured: Pre- and post-intervention (8 weeks)
Coordination Speed (Plate Tapping Test)
Description: Coordination and movement speed will be assessed using the Plate Tapping Test from the Eurofit Test Battery. The time required to complete 25 cycles of alternating taps will be recorded.
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Unit of Measure: Seconds
Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better performance.
Measured: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach Test)
Description: Flexibility will be measured using the Sit and Reach Test, which assesses hamstring and lower back flexibility.
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Unit of Measure: Centimeters
Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater flexibility.
Measured: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Abdominal Muscle Endurance (Sit-Ups Test)
Description: Abdominal muscle endurance will be assessed using the Sit-Ups Test, recording the number of repetitions completed in 30 seconds.
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Unit of Measure: Number of sit-ups (count)
Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better endurance.
Measured: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Lower Limb Power (Standing Long Jump Test)
Description: Explosive leg power will be evaluated using the Standing Long Jump Test. The best distance achieved in three trials will be recorded.
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Unit of Measure: Centimeters
Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better performance.
Measured: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Cardiorespiratory Endurance (20 m Shuttle Run Test)
Description: Aerobic endurance will be assessed using the 20-meter Shuttle Run Test (Eurofit). The number of completed stages will be recorded.
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Unit of Measure: Number of completed stages
Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better endurance.
Measured: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Age
Measurement: Years
Description: Chronological age of the participant will be recorded.
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measured: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Sex
Measurement: Male / Female (categorical variable)
Description: Biological sex will be recorded to explore potential differences in physical fitness outcomes.
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measured: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Measurement: kg/m²
Description: BMI will be calculated using measured body weight and height (BMI = weight [kg] / height² [m²]). It will be used as a descriptive and covariate variable in analysis.
Interpretation: Higher or lower BMI values will be examined in relation to physical fitness outcomes.
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measured: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Nov 2025
- Study start25 Nov 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Feb 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Learning DisabilitiesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants are assigned to one of two groups: the exercise group receives a combined exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session. The control group does not receive any intervention. Assessments of physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are performed before and after the intervention to evaluate changes.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bartın Unıversity
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Meryem Sevim, Bartın Unıversity
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07230093
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-SBB-0230
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 27 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- 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 17 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Combined Exercise Training on Physical Fitness Parameters in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07230093
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-SBB-0230
- Conditions
- Learning Disabilities
- Keywords
- Learning Disability, Physical Fitness, Combined Exercise, Children, Exercise Intervention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Bartın UnıversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Nov 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Nov 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.
Specific learning disabilities (SLD) are characterized by difficulties in reading, comprehension, arithmetic, and written expression, often accompanied by impairments in motor skills, balance, and coordination. However, physical difficulties in children with SLD are often overlooked in educational settings, and parental awareness of these issues remains limited.
This study aims to examine the effect of an 8-week combined exercise program-including balance, strength, and stretching exercises-on the physical fitness of children aged 7-14 years with SLD. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group.
The exercise intervention will be conducted three times per week for 45 minutes per session over eight weeks. Physical fitness will be evaluated through standardized field-based measures of balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS 26.0, employing Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U, independent t-test, and paired t-test as appropriate.
The study is expected to emphasize the importance of physical activity for children with SLD and promote the inclusion of physiotherapy-based exercise programs in individualized support plans.
Primary Outcome Question: Does an 8-week combined exercise program improve balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance-key components of physical fitness-in children with specific learning disabilities compared to a control group?
Detailed description
The term "Learning Disability" refers to difficulties in achieving expected academic performance in specific areas despite normal intelligence. In Turkey, learning disabilities encompass difficulties in one or more cognitive processes necessary for understanding and using language, either written or spoken. These difficulties may manifest in listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, attention, or mathematical operations.
Children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) often experience not only academic difficulties but also deficits in motor skills, balance, and coordination. Physical fitness, defined as the ability to perform daily activities efficiently and safely, depends on multiple parameters including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility. Regular exercise can improve these parameters, supporting children's physical, social, and cognitive development.
Despite the importance of physical fitness, studies on exercise interventions in SLD children are limited and mostly focus on balance. There is a lack of research investigating comprehensive combined exercise programs addressing multiple fitness components simultaneously.
The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a combined exercise program on physical fitness parameters in children with SLD aged 7-14 years. The primary objectives are:
To improve flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility.
To prevent deficits in gross and fine motor skills commonly observed in children with SLD.
To increase parental awareness of the importance of physical exercise in children with learning disabilities.
To provide a home-based exercise guide for children and parents to promote sustainable physical activity.
This randomized controlled study will be conducted in Bartın, Turkey, with 18 participants diagnosed with SLD according to official assessments. Participants will be randomly assigned to the exercise group, which will receive the combined exercise program, or to the control group, which will not receive intervention. Physical fitness parameters will be measured before and after the intervention to evaluate changes.
The combined exercise program consists of 8 weeks of progressive training, three times per week, 45 minutes per session, including warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down phases. Exercises target all major muscle groups and incorporate strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, speed, and agility components.
Hypothesis: H0: "Combined exercise training has a significant positive effect on the physical fitness parameters of children with SLD." The novelty of this study lies in addressing physical fitness comprehensively in SLD children, beyond academic interventions, and promoting sustainable exercise habits. Results are expected to contribute to both the scientific literature and practical guidance for education and rehabilitation programs for children with learning disabilities.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are assigned to one of two groups: the exercise group receives a combined exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session. The control group does not receive any intervention. Assessments of physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are performed before and after the intervention to evaluate changes.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Combined Exercise ProgramParticipants receive a combined exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed before and after the intervention. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants do not receive any intervention. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed at the same time points as the exercise group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 7 to 14 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Exercise Group: Children aged 7-14 years diagnosed with Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD), with signed parental consent and child assent form
- Control Group: Children aged 7-14 years without SLD (healthy), with signed parental consent and child assent form
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Children with physical disabilities preventing participation
- Children unable to cooperate with the assessments
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Exercise ProgramParticipants perform a combined exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed before and after the intervention. This program aims to improve gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness in children with specific learning difficulties. | Behavioural | Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Balance Performance (Flamingo Balance Test)
Time frame: Pre- and post-intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Static balance will be assessed using the Flamingo Balance Test from the Eurofit Test Battery. Participants will stand on one leg on a narrow beam, and the number of falls within 1 minute will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Number of falls (count) Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better balance.
Coordination Speed (Plate Tapping Test)
Time frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Coordination and movement speed will be assessed using the Plate Tapping Test from the Eurofit Test Battery. The time required to complete 25 cycles of alternating taps will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Seconds Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better performance.
Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach Test)
Time frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Flexibility will be measured using the Sit and Reach Test, which assesses hamstring and lower back flexibility. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Centimeters Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater flexibility.
Abdominal Muscle Endurance (Sit-Ups Test)
Time frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Abdominal muscle endurance will be assessed using the Sit-Ups Test, recording the number of repetitions completed in 30 seconds. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Number of sit-ups (count) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better endurance.
Lower Limb Power (Standing Long Jump Test)
Time frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Explosive leg power will be evaluated using the Standing Long Jump Test. The best distance achieved in three trials will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Centimeters Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better performance.
Cardiorespiratory Endurance (20 m Shuttle Run Test)
Time frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Aerobic endurance will be assessed using the 20-meter Shuttle Run Test (Eurofit). The number of completed stages will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Number of completed stages Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better endurance.
Age
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measurement: Years Description: Chronological age of the participant will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Sex
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measurement: Male / Female (categorical variable) Description: Biological sex will be recorded to explore potential differences in physical fitness outcomes. Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measurement: kg/m² Description: BMI will be calculated using measured body weight and height (BMI = weight [kg] / height² [m²]). It will be used as a descriptive and covariate variable in analysis. Interpretation: Higher or lower BMI values will be examined in relation to physical fitness outcomes. Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Nov 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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Combined Exercise Program in people with Learning Disabilities, run by Bartın Unıversity at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 2 inclusion and 2 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Nov 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Meryem Sevim, PhD (+905536104510, fzt.meryemsevim@outlook.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Balance Performance (Flamingo Balance Test) (time frame: Pre- and post-intervention (8 weeks)). The study lists 9 primary outcomes in all. 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 17 Nov 2025.