Does a 10-week school flag football programme improve fitness in 9–11-year-old children in Shanghai, China?
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN62093106 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN62093106 |
| Sponsor | Shanghai University of Sport |
| Funders | Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai Oriental Talent Program, Shanghai University of Sport Graduate Student Research Fund |
- Submission date
- 28/01/2026
- Registration date
- 04/02/2026
- Last edited
- 04/02/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Flag football is a non-contact form of American football that focuses on running, passing and teamwork. This study looked at whether taking part in a school-based flag football programme could improve physical fitness in children aged 9 to 11 years. The study aimed to see whether this type of school-based physical activity programme could help improve children’s fitness and support healthy development.
Who can participate?
Children aged 9 to 11 years from a public primary school in Shanghai, China.
What does the study involve?
Participants were randomly assigned to either take part in a 10-week flag football programme during their regular physical education classes or to continue with their usual physical education lessons. The flag football programme took place twice a week and was taught by trained physical education teachers.
Physical fitness, including speed, strength, flexibility and coordination were measured before the programme started and again after it finished.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits and risks not provided at time of registration
Where is the study run from?
Shanghai University of Sport, China.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2017 to June 2018.
Who is funding the study?
1. Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, China.
2. Shanghai Oriental Talent Program, China.
3. Shanghai University of Sport Graduate Student Research Fund, China.
Who is the main contact?
Prof Jie Zhuang, zhuangjiesh@163.com
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
650 Qingyuanhuan Rd, Yangpu District
Shanghai
200438
China
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-2442-7418 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +86 13301850538 |
| zhuangjiesh@163.com |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional | |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial | |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) | |
| Control | Active | |
| Assignment | Parallel | |
| Purpose | Prevention | |
| Scientific title | Impact of a school based flag football intervention on fitness outcomes in chinese children aged 9 to 11 years: a randomized controlled trial | |
| Study acronym | FLAG-FIT (China) | |
| Study objectives | To examine the effects of a 10-week school-based flag football intervention on physical fitness outcomes in Chinese children aged 9 to 11 years, compared with usual physical education classes. | |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 01/11/2016, Shanghai University of Sport Scientific Research Ethics Committee (650 Qingyuanhuan Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200438, China; +86 21 65507393; lunli@sus.edu.cn), ref: 2016223 | |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Physical fitness and prevention of physical inactivity in school-aged children | |
| Intervention | Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the school-based flag football intervention or the control condition. The allocation sequence was generated by an independent researcher using a computer-generated random number list, and allocation was concealed using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes opened only after baseline assessments were completed. Randomisation was conducted within classes to minimise disruption to teaching. Blinding of participants and instructors was not possible because of the nature of the intervention; however, outcome assessments were conducted by trained postgraduate students who were independent of intervention delivery and were not informed of allocation whenever feasible. The intervention comprised a structured 10-week flag football programme delivered during regular physical education classes, with two sessions per week. Sessions followed a standardised lesson plan including warm-up activities, skill development drills and small-sided games, delivered by trained physical education teachers using a standard curriculum. The control group continued usual physical education classes delivered by the school, with no additional structured flag football activities provided by the research team. | |
| Intervention type | Behavioural | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
| |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | ||
| Completion date | 30/06/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 9 Years |
| Upper age limit | 11 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 147 |
| Total final enrolment | 147 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Children enrolled in grades 3 to 5 in a public primary school 2. Aged 9 to 11 years at baseline 3. Able to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 4. Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians 5. Assent provided by the child |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Physician-diagnosed chronic disease 2. Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders limiting participation in running or jumping activities 3. Any other medical condition judged by the school physician or research team to make participation unsafe |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
Study participating centre
Shanghai
200438
China
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Editorial Notes
04/02/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai University of Sport, China.
