Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40713715›Full record

Trial reportThe international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity2025

Effects of a school-based physical activity intervention on children with intellectual disability: a cluster randomized trial.

Michael Noetel, Taren Sanders, Danielle Tracey, David R Lubans, Viviene A Temple, Andrew Bennie, James Conigrave, Mark Babic, Bridget Booker, Rebecca Pagano and 2 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Michael NoetelSchool of Psychology, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Australia. m.noetel@uq.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6563-8203
Taren SandersInstitute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4504-6008
Danielle TraceySchool of Education, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9590-9812
David R LubansCentre for Active Living and Learning, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0204-8257
Viviene A TempleSchool of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2213-1629
Andrew BennieDarug Country, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9151-4821
James ConigraveCentre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8816-6229
Mark BabicSchool of Education, College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-4635-4405
Bridget BookerSchool of Psychology, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8815-7314
Rebecca PaganoSchool of Education, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9305-3184
James BoyerDepartment of Education, Turrella, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0585-4238
Chris LonsdaleAustralian Catholic University, North Sydney, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2523-5565

Funding

Australian Sports Commission PAR006502018
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChildren living with disability have poorer health outcomes than their typically developing peers. They are less physically active and at increased risk of chronic disease. Teacher-led, whole-of-school physical activity interventions are promising levers for population-level change, but are seldom tested among children with disability. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a blended teacher-professional learning program (online and in-person) on fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical activity among children with intellectual disability.

methodsIn this cluster randomized clinical trial, we randomized 20 government-funded primary schools, including 238 consenting students (Grades 2-5; aged 8-11 years at baseline). Ten schools received the blended teacher-professional learning intervention and 10 were assigned as waitlist controls. The professional learning was designed to support teachers as they implemented a whole-of-school intervention designed to enhance FMS and increase physical activity levels. The school-based intervention was mostly online learning, followed by lesson observations and site visits from project staff. Blinded assessors measured FMS competency using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3. Secondary outcomes were self-concept, enjoyment, wellbeing, 300-yard run time, and accelerometer-measured physical activity.

resultsWe found no significant group-by-time effects for the primary outcome (FMS competency: b = 1.07 [95% CI -3.70, 5.84], p =.658) or any secondary outcomes.

conclusionsA school-based intervention did not improve FMS competency or physical activity in children with intellectual disability. Results may be attenuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Alternatively, low intensity teacher-professional learning interventions may not be enough to improve FMS or physical activity among children with intellectual disability.

trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry registration number: ACTRN12620000405910, registered: 25/03/2020.

Indexed as

ExerciseHealth PromotionIntellectual DisabilitySchool Health ServicesChildFemaleHumansMaleSchoolsSchool TeachersFundamental movement skillInclusive educationIntellectual disabilityPhysical activityWhole-of-school intervention

Identifiers

PMID40713715
PMCPMC12291417

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.