Effects of Active Gamification in Primary School Children

Can Active Gamification Improve the Physical and Mental Health of Primary School Children?

Active gamification, which incorporates game elements with physical interaction, is presented as an innovative strategy to address children's physical and mental health. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an active gamification program on these variables in primary school children. To this end, a randomized clinical trial will be conducted with 120 children between the ages of 8 and 11. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group, which will participate in a program designed to promote physical activity through game-based dynamics for 12 weeks, and a control group, which will continue with traditional physical education classes without modifications to their usual methodology. The program implementation includes structured sessions with activities designed to encourage interaction, movement, and decision-making in a playful environment, with the aim of improving children's engagement and adherence to the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 8 and 11 years
• No medical contraindication for physical activity
• No intellectual disability that could interfere with understanding or compliance with the study procedures; and iv) informed consent from parents or legal guardians.

Those students who did not meet the inclusion criteria were able to participate in the intervention with their peers, but were not considered in the analysis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of neuromotor disorder or severe physical disability that limits participation in the scheduled physical activity
• Presence of severe psychological or behavioral disorders that make integration into group activities difficult.
• Use of medication that significantly affects physical or cognitive performance.
• Failure to attend more than 20% of the intervention program sessions
• Withdrawal of informed consent by parents or legal guardians during the study