Executive Functions (EF)NCT07658404
Beyond Aerobic Fitness: Effects of Coordination and Aerobic Exercise on Executive Functions in School-Aged Children
A study testing Aerobic Exercise Program and Coordination Exercise Program in people with Executive Functions (EF) and Working Memory, run by Istanbul Gelisim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and coordination-based exercise on executive functions in school-aged children aged 10 to 12 years. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 12 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Executive Functions (EF), Working Memory, Selective Attention
- What is being tested?
- Aerobic Exercise Program and Coordination Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 78 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 10 Jun 2026
- 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 10 to 12 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Children aged between 10 and 12 years.
- Typically developing children without diagnosed neurological, developmental, or physical disorders.
- Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians.
- Child assent provided before participation.
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Presence of learning disabilities.
- Neurological, developmental, or chronic medical conditions limiting participation in physical activity.
- Attendance of less than 80% of the intervention sessions.
- Occurrence of health problems during the study period that prevented continued participation.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Rumeli University
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34570
About this study
Official title: Beyond Aerobic Fitness: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Coordination and Aerobic Exercise on Executive Functions in School-Aged Children
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and coordination-based exercise on executive functions in school-aged children aged 10 to 12 years. Executive functions, including working memory and selective attention, are essential cognitive skills that support learning, academic achievement, problem-solving, and daily functioning.
A total of 78 healthy children will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: an Aerobic Exercise Group, a Coordination Exercise Group, or a Control Group. Participants in the intervention groups will complete supervised exercise sessions lasting 40 minutes, three times per week, for 14 weeks. The aerobic exercise program will include activities designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, while the coordination exercise program will involve tasks requiring motor control, balance, bilateral coordination, and cognitive engagement. Participants in the control group will continue their usual school activities without additional structured exercise.
Working memory and selective attention will be assessed before and after the intervention using standardized neuropsychological tests. The findings of this study may improve understanding of how different types of physical activity influence cognitive development in children and may help educators and health professionals design more effective school-based physical activity programs that support both physical and cognitive health.
- Being tested
- Aerobic Exercise Program, Coordination Exercise Program
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aerobic Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Also called Aerobic Training
Participants completed a supervised aerobic exercise program for 14 weeks. Exercise sessions were conducted three times per week and lasted 40 minutes each. The intervention included high-intensity interval activities, sprint running, and game-based aerobic tasks designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise intensity was monitored using heart rate monitors, and participants maintained an intensity corresponding to 65% to 85% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate.
Coordination Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Also called Coordination Training
Participants completed a supervised coordination-based exercise program for 14 weeks. Exercise sessions were conducted three times per week and lasted 40 minutes each. The intervention included jump-rope combinations, dynamic balance exercises, bilateral coordination activities, and multidirectional movement tasks requiring cognitive engagement. Exercise intensity was standardized using ratings of perceived exertion, targeting Borg scale scores between 13 and 16.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants completed a supervised aerobic exercise program for 14 weeks, consisting of 40-minute sessions conducted three times per week. The program included high-intensity interval activities, sprint running, and game-based aerobic exercises designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Receives: Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise Program |
| Coordination Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants completed a supervised coordination-based exercise program for 14 weeks, consisting of 40-minute sessions conducted three times per week. Activities included jump-rope combinations, dynamic balance exercises, bilateral coordination tasks, and multidirectional movement tasks requiring cognitive engagement. Receives: Behavioral: Coordination Exercise Program |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants continued their usual school curriculum and daily activities without receiving any additional structured exercise intervention during the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Working Memory
Working memory performance will be assessed using the Visual-Auditory Digit Span Test. The test evaluates the ability to temporarily store, manipulate, and recall information through auditory and visual modalities. Higher scores indicate better working memory performance.
Measured: Baseline and Week 14
Selective Attention
Selective attention will be assessed using the d2 Test of Attention. Outcome measures include concentration performance, processing speed, and error rates. Higher concentration scores indicate better selective attention performance.
Measured: Baseline and Week 14
Secondary outcomes (2)
Motor Coordination
Motor coordination will be evaluated using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) test battery. The assessment includes balance, jumping, and movement coordination tasks, with scores converted into an overall Motor Quotient.
Measured: Baseline
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed using the 20-meter shuttle run test. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) will be estimated from test performance.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026
- Primary completion10 Jun 2026
- Study completion10 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Executive Functions (EF)Studies 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Görkem Açar, Istanbul Gelisim University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07658404
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRU-2026-02-08
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Babayoglu S, Cemc MS, Acar G. Beyond aerobic intensity: Comparing the effects of cognitively engaging gross-motor coordination training and aerobic exercise on working memory and selective attention in school-age children: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Sep 18;18(1):440. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-02087-9.
PubMed 42778947
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Beyond Aerobic Fitness: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Coordination and Aerobic Exercise on Executive Functions in School-Aged Children
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07658404
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRU-2026-02-08
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Jun 2026 (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.
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and coordination-based exercise on executive functions in school-aged children aged 10 to 12 years. Executive functions, including working memory and selective attention, are essential cognitive skills that support learning, academic achievement, problem-solving, and daily functioning.
A total of 78 healthy children will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: an Aerobic Exercise Group, a Coordination Exercise Group, or a Control Group. Participants in the intervention groups will complete supervised exercise sessions lasting 40 minutes, three times per week, for 14 weeks. The aerobic exercise program will include activities designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, while the coordination exercise program will involve tasks requiring motor control, balance, bilateral coordination, and cognitive engagement. Participants in the control group will continue their usual school activities without additional structured exercise.
Working memory and selective attention will be assessed before and after the intervention using standardized neuropsychological tests. The findings of this study may improve understanding of how different types of physical activity influence cognitive development in children and may help educators and health professionals design more effective school-based physical activity programs that support both physical and cognitive health.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise ProgramParticipants completed a supervised aerobic exercise program for 14 weeks, consisting of 40-minute sessions conducted three times per week. The program included high-intensity interval activities, sprint running, and game-based aerobic exercises designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. |
| Coordination Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Coordination Exercise ProgramParticipants completed a supervised coordination-based exercise program for 14 weeks, consisting of 40-minute sessions conducted three times per week. Activities included jump-rope combinations, dynamic balance exercises, bilateral coordination tasks, and multidirectional movement tasks requiring cognitive engagement. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants continued their usual school curriculum and daily activities without receiving any additional structured exercise intervention during the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Children aged between 10 and 12 years.
- Typically developing children without diagnosed neurological, developmental, or physical disorders.
- Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians.
- Child assent provided before participation.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Presence of learning disabilities.
- Neurological, developmental, or chronic medical conditions limiting participation in physical activity.
- Attendance of less than 80% of the intervention sessions.
- Occurrence of health problems during the study period that prevented continued 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Exercise ProgramAlso: Aerobic TrainingParticipants completed a supervised aerobic exercise program for 14 weeks. Exercise sessions were conducted three times per week and lasted 40 minutes each. The intervention included high-intensity interval activities, sprint running, and game-based aerobic tasks designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise intensity was monitored using heart rate monitors, and participants maintained an intensity corresponding to 65% to 85% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate. | Behavioural | Aerobic Exercise Group |
| Coordination Exercise ProgramAlso: Coordination TrainingParticipants completed a supervised coordination-based exercise program for 14 weeks. Exercise sessions were conducted three times per week and lasted 40 minutes each. The intervention included jump-rope combinations, dynamic balance exercises, bilateral coordination activities, and multidirectional movement tasks requiring cognitive engagement. Exercise intensity was standardized using ratings of perceived exertion, targeting Borg scale scores between 13 and 16. | Behavioural | Coordination Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Working Memory
Time frame: Baseline and Week 14
Working memory performance will be assessed using the Visual-Auditory Digit Span Test. The test evaluates the ability to temporarily store, manipulate, and recall information through auditory and visual modalities. Higher scores indicate better working memory performance.
Selective Attention
Time frame: Baseline and Week 14
Selective attention will be assessed using the d2 Test of Attention. Outcome measures include concentration performance, processing speed, and error rates. Higher concentration scores indicate better selective attention performance.
2 secondary outcomes
Motor Coordination
Time frame: Baseline
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Time frame: Baseline
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 22 Jun 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42778947Babayoglu S, Cemc MS, Acar G. Beyond aerobic intensity: Comparing the effects of cognitively engaging gross-motor coordination training and aerobic exercise on working memory and selective attention in school-age children: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Sep 18;18(1):440. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-02087-9.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Aerobic Exercise Program and Coordination Exercise Program in people with Executive Functions (EF) and Working Memory, run by Istanbul Gelisim University 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 4 inclusion and 5 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 22 Jun 2026. 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?
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?
Working Memory (time frame: Baseline and Week 14). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07658404, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 22 Jun 2026.