Evaluation of Fit to Study, an intervention to optimise the benefit of PE for brain function in order to raise attainment
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN15730512 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15730512 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | NCT03286725 |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Evaluation of Fit to Study |
| Sponsor | Education Endowment Foundation |
| Funders | Education Endowment Foundation, Wellcome Trust |
- Submission date
- 10/03/2017
- Registration date
- 30/03/2017
- Last edited
- 06/04/2021
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Physical Education (PE) can play a large role in helping children do better at school. Research has shown that PE has a positive effect on the brain and can improve cognitive (mental) performance both immediately and in the long-term. The “Fit to Study” is a PE programme targeted at Year 8 pupils. This programme was designed to optimise the benefit of PE for brain function, and involves 20 minutes of certain activities per week. The aim of this study is to assess the impact that the “Fit to Study” programme has on academic performance in Year 8 pupils at the end of the year.
Who can participate?
Year 8 pupils attending schools in England.
What does the study involve?
Participating schools are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in group one receive the “Fit to Study” programme. This consists of training PE teachers on how to adapt their PE lessons to include the certain activities that are aimed to improve brain function . The programme is then included in the regular PE lessons for students. Those in the second group continue with their regular PE lessons. Participating students are followed up using their maths scores at the end of the school year.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from participating in physical education that optimizes brain function and academic achievement. There are no notable risks with participating as the activities are deemed as safe and age appropriate.
Where is the study run from?
This study is being run from Oxford Brookes University (Oxford) and is taking place in schools in the West Midlands and the South of England (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2017 to July 2018
Who is funding the study?
1. Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
2. Wellcome Trust (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Fatima Husain
fatima.husain@natcen.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
NatCen Social Research
35 Northampton Square
London
EC1V 0AX
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 207 549 8508 |
|---|---|
| fatima.husain@natcen.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional two-arm cluster (school-level) randomised controlled efficacy trial |
| Secondary study design | Cluster randomised trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Randomised controlled trial of Fit to Study, an intervention to optimise the benefit of PE for brain function in order to raise attainment, delivered to 12-13-year-old pupils |
| Study objectives | Pupils in schools implementing Fit to Study will have better educational (maths) attainment than equivalent pupils receiving business-as-usual PE lessons in year 8. |
| Ethics approval(s) | The University of Oxford Ethics Committee, 20/01/2017, ref: R48879/RE002 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Educational attainment (Maths) |
| Intervention | Participating schools are randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group. Intervention group: Participants receive the Fit to Study intervention. This consists of improving students brain function by improving attention and working memory, which in turn improves learning, resulting in a positive impact on attainment. The intervention includes twenty minutes per week of prescribed activity, designed to optimise the benefit of physical education (PE) for brain function. The intervention is delivered by PE teachers during scheduled lessons. As part of the intervention PE teachers receive training in how to deliver the intervention. Control group: Schools continue with business as usual. Participating students are followed up using their Pupil Key Stage 2 (KS2) scores obtained from the National Pupil Database (NPD) to measure their pre-intervention attainment. Post-intervention assessments will be carried out in June/July 2018 using the level 13 Progress in Maths test, provided by GL assessment. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Mathematical attainment is measured using the level 13 Progress in Maths test (provided at GL assessment) at the end of the school year. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
There are no secondary outcome measures. |
| Completion date | 31/03/2019 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | All |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 12 Years |
| Upper age limit | 13 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 9000 |
| Total final enrolment | 18261 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Pupils in Year 8 (aged 12-13). |
| Key exclusion criteria | There is no exclusion criteria. |
| Date of first enrolment | 25/01/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 05/05/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Oxford
OX3 0BP
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 31/03/2021 | 06/04/2021 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | 02/04/2019 | 06/04/2021 | Yes | No | |
| Basic results | 06/05/2020 | 12/05/2020 | No | No | |
| Funder report results | 01/09/2019 | 06/04/2021 | No | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN15730512_BasicResults_06May2020.pdf
- Uploaded 12/05/2020
Editorial Notes
06/04/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication references added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the results reference.
3. The NCT number has been added.
12/05/2020: The basic results of this trial have been uploaded as an additional file.
