Executive Function in Healthy AdolescentsVMBT-EFNCT07749144
Effects of Weekly Basketball Training Distribution on Executive Function in Adolescents
A study testing Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training and Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training in people with Executive Function in Healthy Adolescents and Physical Fitness, run by Xi'an Medical University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
his study examined whether different ways of distributing the same weekly amount of basketball training affect executive function in adolescents. A total of 120 adolescents were randomly assigned to one of three groups: weekday-distributed basketball training, weekend-concentrated basketball training, or a control… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 16 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Executive Function in Healthy Adolescents, Physical Fitness, Adolescent Development
- What is being tested?
- Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training and Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 1 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 13 to 16 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Aged 13 to 16 years at enrollment.
- Enrolled in the participating local middle school.
- Medically eligible to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise.
- No systematic basketball or other sport-specific training during the 3 months before enrollment.
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and able to complete the computerized cognitive tasks.
- Available to participate in the 8-week intervention and complete all scheduled assessments.
- Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian and assent provided by the participant.
Who cannot join
- Any illness or musculoskeletal injury that could prevent safe participation in basketball training.
- Current participation in another structured exercise, sport-specific training, or cognitive-training program.
- Any visual, neurological, or other condition that could interfere with completion of the computerized cognitive tasks.
- Medical advice or contraindications against participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Volume-Matched Weekday-Distributed Versus Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training on Executive Function in Adolescents: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
his study examined whether different ways of distributing the same weekly amount of basketball training affect executive function in adolescents. A total of 120 adolescents were randomly assigned to one of three groups: weekday-distributed basketball training, weekend-concentrated basketball training, or a control group that continued its usual activities.
Participants in both basketball training groups completed 180 minutes of training per week for 8 weeks. The weekday-distributed group trained for 36 minutes per session, five days per week, whereas the weekend-concentrated group trained for 90 minutes per session, two days per week. Executive function was assessed before and after the intervention.
The study aimed to determine whether basketball training improves executive function compared with usual activities and whether distributing the same weekly training volume across weekdays produces different effects from concentrating the training on weekends.
- Being tested
- Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training, Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Weekday-Distributed Basketball TrainingBehavioural
Participants completed basketball training five days per week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 36 minutes, resulting in a total weekly training volume of 180 minutes.
Weekend-Concentrated Basketball TrainingRadiation
Participants completed basketball training two days per week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 90 minutes, resulting in a total weekly training volume of 180 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training | Experimental | Participants completed 180 minutes of basketball training per week for 8 weeks. The training was distributed across five weekday sessions, with each session lasting 36 minutes. Receives: Behavioral: Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training |
| Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training | Experimental | Participants completed 180 minutes of basketball training per week for 8 weeks. The training was concentrated into two weekend sessions, with each session lasting 90 minutes. Receives: Radiation: Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training |
| Usual Activity Control | No intervention | Participants maintained their usual daily activities and received no additional structured basketball training during the 8-week study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change From Baseline in Flanker Reaction-Time Interference Effect
Inhibitory control was assessed using a computerized Flanker task at baseline and immediately after the intervention. The reaction-time interference effect was calculated as the mean reaction time for incongruent trials minus the mean reaction time for congruent trials and was expressed in milliseconds. Change from baseline was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. Lower interference scores indicate better inhibitory control, and a negative change indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention
Change From Baseline in 1-Back Task Accuracy
Working memory was assessed using a computerized 1-back task at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Performance was measured as the percentage of correct responses, ranging from 0% to 100%. Change from baseline was calculated as the post-intervention accuracy minus the baseline accuracy. Higher accuracy scores indicate better working memory performance, and a positive change indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention
Change From Baseline in More-Odd Shifting Task Switching Cost
Cognitive flexibility was assessed using a computerized More-Odd Shifting task at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Switching cost was calculated as the mean reaction time for switch trials minus the mean reaction time for repeat trials and was expressed in milliseconds. Change from baseline was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. Lower switching-cost values indicate better cognitive flexibility, and a negative change indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Aug 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026
- Primary completion1 May 2026
- Study completion1 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Executive Function in Healthy AdolescentsStudies 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Xi'an Medical University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Xiaodong Cheng, Xi'an Medical University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07749144
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BBT-EF-001
- Acronym
- VMBT-EF
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 31 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 6 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: De-identified individual participant data will not be shared because the study involved minors and the consent materials did not include authorization for sharing individual-level data beyond the original research purpose. Aggregate study results will be reported in scientific publications.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Volume-Matched Weekday-Distributed Versus Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training on Executive Function in Adolescents: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07749144
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VMBT-EF / BBT-EF-001
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Xi'an Medical UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Aug 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.
his study examined whether different ways of distributing the same weekly amount of basketball training affect executive function in adolescents. A total of 120 adolescents were randomly assigned to one of three groups: weekday-distributed basketball training, weekend-concentrated basketball training, or a control group that continued its usual activities.
Participants in both basketball training groups completed 180 minutes of training per week for 8 weeks. The weekday-distributed group trained for 36 minutes per session, five days per week, whereas the weekend-concentrated group trained for 90 minutes per session, two days per week. Executive function was assessed before and after the intervention.
The study aimed to determine whether basketball training improves executive function compared with usual activities and whether distributing the same weekly training volume across weekdays produces different effects from concentrating the training on weekends.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Weekday-Distributed Basketball TrainingParticipants completed 180 minutes of basketball training per week for 8 weeks. The training was distributed across five weekday sessions, with each session lasting 36 minutes. |
| Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training | Experimental | Radiation: Weekend-Concentrated Basketball TrainingParticipants completed 180 minutes of basketball training per week for 8 weeks. The training was concentrated into two weekend sessions, with each session lasting 90 minutes. |
| Usual Activity Control | No intervention | –Participants maintained their usual daily activities and received no additional structured basketball training during the 8-week study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Aged 13 to 16 years at enrollment.
- Enrolled in the participating local middle school.
- Medically eligible to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise.
- No systematic basketball or other sport-specific training during the 3 months before enrollment.
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and able to complete the computerized cognitive tasks.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Any illness or musculoskeletal injury that could prevent safe participation in basketball training.
- Current participation in another structured exercise, sport-specific training, or cognitive-training program.
- Any visual, neurological, or other condition that could interfere with completion of the computerized cognitive tasks.
- Medical advice or contraindications against participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday-Distributed Basketball TrainingParticipants completed basketball training five days per week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 36 minutes, resulting in a total weekly training volume of 180 minutes. | Behavioural | Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training |
| Weekend-Concentrated Basketball TrainingParticipants completed basketball training two days per week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 90 minutes, resulting in a total weekly training volume of 180 minutes. | Radiation | Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training |
Primary outcome
Change From Baseline in Flanker Reaction-Time Interference Effect
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention
Inhibitory control was assessed using a computerized Flanker task at baseline and immediately after the intervention. The reaction-time interference effect was calculated as the mean reaction time for incongruent trials minus the mean reaction time for congruent trials and was expressed in milliseconds. Change from baseline was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. Lower interference scores indicate better inhibitory control, and a negative change indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline in 1-Back Task Accuracy
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention
Working memory was assessed using a computerized 1-back task at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Performance was measured as the percentage of correct responses, ranging from 0% to 100%. Change from baseline was calculated as the post-intervention accuracy minus the baseline accuracy. Higher accuracy scores indicate better working memory performance, and a positive change indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline in More-Odd Shifting Task Switching Cost
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention
Cognitive flexibility was assessed using a computerized More-Odd Shifting task at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Switching cost was calculated as the mean reaction time for switch trials minus the mean reaction time for repeat trials and was expressed in milliseconds. Change from baseline was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. Lower switching-cost values indicate better cognitive flexibility, and a negative change indicates improvement.
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 6 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. De-identified individual participant data will not be shared because the study involved minors and the consent materials did not include authorization for sharing individual-level data beyond the original research purpose. Aggregate study results will be reported in scientific publications.
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 Weekday-Distributed Basketball Training and Weekend-Concentrated Basketball Training in people with Executive Function in Healthy Adolescents and Physical Fitness, run by Xi'an Medical University at 1 site in China.
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 7 inclusion and 4 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 6 Aug 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 China. 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?
Change From Baseline in Flanker Reaction-Time Interference Effect (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention). The study lists 3 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 6 Aug 2026.