Play-Based Motor Training in Children Aged 7-10 Years

The study was conducted during the 2025‐2026 academic year in Dongchuan District, YunnanProvince, China. The sampling frame comprised approximately 100 children (50 boys and 50girls) from four eligible classes across two primary schools. One hundred children wererandomly selected by lottery for eligibility assessment. Twenty children were excludedbefore allocation: twelve because of physical or motor conditions that did not meeteligibility requirements, six because parental consent was not provided, and two becausechild assent was not obtained.The remaining 80 eligible participants (40 boys and 40 girls) were individuallyrandomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or control group using a computer‐generatedrandom allocation sequence. Allocation was concealed using sequentially numbered, opaque,sealed envelopes prepared independently and opened after completion of baselineassessments.The intervention group received an 8‐week structured play‐based motor‐training programcomprising 24 sessions, with three 60‐minute sessions per week. Sessions included socialinteraction, warm‐up, play‐based motor activities, cool‐down, and feedback. Mainactivities included coordinated movement with children's rhymes, animal‐imitation games,running, jumping, throwing, rolling, and ball activities. The control group continuedusual physical education twice weekly for approximately 40 minutes per session.MABC‐2 and Kay assessments were conducted by an independent trained assessor blinded togroup allocation. Parents completing the BRIEF were not blinded. The primary outcome wasthe MABC‐2 total score. Kay total score and BRIEF mean item score were treated asexploratory secondary outcomes. All 80 randomized participants completed posttestassessment. No serious or intervention‐related adverse events were reported.