CompletedNot Applicable

Calisthenics-Based Intervention in Adolescents: Effects on Strength, Body Composition, Eating Habits, and Self-Concept

Colombia100 participantsStarted 2024-01-15

Plain-language summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a school-based calisthenics intervention in promoting physical activity and improving health-related outcomes in adolescents. Physical inactivity during adolescence is a growing public health concern associated with increased risks of obesity, poor physical fitness, and reduced psychological well-being. Schools provide an optimal environment to implement structured interventions that encourage lifelong healthy habits. Calisthenics is a form of exercise that uses bodyweight movements to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. It is cost-effective, accessible, and does not require specialized equipment, making it particularly suitable for school settings. The present study integrates a structured calisthenics program into regular physical education classes. A total of 100 students aged 13 to 16 years will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which will participate in the calisthenics program, or a control group, which will follow the standard physical education curriculum. The intervention will last 12 weeks, with three sessions per week. Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention. These include physical fitness (muscle strength), body composition, dietary habits, and self-concept. Strength will be measured using a handgrip dynamometer, body composition through anthropometric assessment, dietary habits through a validated questionnaire, and self-concept using the Self-Concept Form-5 (AF5). Findings from this study will provide evidence regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing calisthenics in school settings as a strategy to improve both physical and psychological health in adolescents.

Who can participate

Age range

13 Years – 16 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Enrollment in the ninth grade at the Institución Educativa Técnica Industrial de Turmequé, Boyacá. * Age between 13 and 16 years. * Agreement to random group assignment. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of medical conditions or disorders that could contraindicate physical exercise, including but not limited to cardiac arrhythmias, heart murmurs, coronary artery disease, or hypertension, as diagnosed by a physician at the start of the calisthenics program. * Presence of psychiatric disorders, such as severe anxiety attacks or depression, diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional at the beginning of the calisthenics program.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Hand grip strenght

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07584551

SponsorUniversitat de Lleida

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-09-15

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