The effect of diverse sports skills interventions on physical fitness and brain development among Chinese high school students: a cluster randomized controlled trial study protocol

Abstract

Background: During adolescence, research concerning physical fitness and brain development has become a focal point in health and neuroscience. Academic debates on the precise impact of different sports skills on adolescent physical fitness lack consensus. While exercise’s positive effects on brain development in children and older adults are well-documented, its specific impact on adolescents remains unexplored. A year-long trial explores how diverse sports skills affect adolescents’ physical fitness and brain development. The study has a dual focus: first, to examine the potential correlation between sports skills acquisition and indicators of adolescent physical fitness; and second, to investigate the mechanisms of brain plasticity in adolescents. This comprehensive study is poised to fill knowledge gaps, providing a scientific basis for targeted health interventions in adolescent populations. Methods: This study will employ a randomized controlled cluster design involving senior high school students in Shanghai. The expected sample size is approximately 450 students, divided into four experimental groups and a control group. The experimental groups will undergo 1 year of sports skills training in basketball, football, tennis, and martial arts, while the control group will receive regular physical education classes. Prior to intervention, data will be collected on students’ physical fitness, sports skills, levels of physical activity, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measurements. Rigorous control of variables will ensure comparability and experimental validity. For data analysis, specialized software tools, including SPSS 18.0, AMOS 18.0, Matlab R2013b, and EXCEL, will be employed for comprehensive analysis and interpretation, validating potential differences between experimental and control groups in various aspects of physical fitness and sports skills. Discussion: This experiment aims to provide substantial scientific evidence on the impact of sports skills learning on diverse indicators of adolescent physical fitness. In addition, it aims to elucidate the effects of exercise on adolescent brain plasticity and its specific underlying mechanisms. This comprehensive evidence base is poised to serve as a basis for more effective interventions in the future, providing enhanced scientific guidance for promoting holistic adolescent development. It also provides scholars and practitioners with fresh perspectives on adolescent health development. Trial registration: The study was registered at the China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300070942). https://www.chictr.org.cn. Registered on April 10, 2023