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. 2019 Jun 6;19(1):697.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6986-8.

The effectiveness of exercise intervention for academic achievement, cognitive function, and physical health among children in Mongolia: a cluster RCT study protocol

Kenji Takehara  1 , Togoobaatar Ganchimeg  2 , Akihito Kikuchi  3 , Lkagvasuren Gundegmaa  4 , Lkagvasuren Altantsetseg  4 , Ai Aoki  1   5 , Takemune Fukuie  6 , Kazuya Suwabe  6   3 , Shagdar Bat-Erdene  4 , Masashi Mikami  7 , Rintaro Mori  8 , Hideaki Soya  6   3
Affiliations

The effectiveness of exercise intervention for academic achievement, cognitive function, and physical health among children in Mongolia: a cluster RCT study protocol

Kenji Takehara et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Many studies have demonstrated positive effects of physical activity on children's health such as improved cardiorespiratory function and decreased obesity. Physical activity has also been found to have positive effects on academic achievement and cognitive function. However, there are few high quality RCT studies on this topic at present and the findings remain controversial.

Methods: This protocol describes cluster randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of school-based exercise intervention among children in Mongolia. The intervention consists of 3-min sessions of high intensity interval training combined with music implemented two times a week at school during study periods. The participants are children in the fourth grade in public elementary schools in the Sukhbaatar district in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The participants are cluster randomized by school and allocated either to the intervention or control group. The primary outcome is academic achievement. Secondary outcomes are obesity/overweight, physical fitness function, lifestyle, mental health, and cognitive function.

Discussion: This cluster-RCT is designed and implemented to assess the effectiveness of exercise intervention on academic achievement, cognitive function, and physical and mental health among school-age children in Mongolia. This study will provide evidence to promote physical activities among children in low- and middle- income countries.

Trial registration: UMIN: UMIN000031062 . Registered on 1st February 2018.

Keywords: Academic achievement; Children; Cognitive function; Exercise; Physical activity; Physical fitness; RCT.

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Conflict of interest statement

None to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The schedule of enrolment, interventions and assessments
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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