Sports Program for Rural Girls

(GirlsPLAY Trial)

Overseen By Ashleigh Johnson, DrPH

Age: < 18

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Diego State University

Disqualifiers: Physical or mental impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study is to examine the impact of a 12-week sports sampling and physical literacy program on rural girls' physical activity.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is the Sports Program for Rural Girls safe for participants?

The Play Streets program, which is similar to the Sports Program for Rural Girls, has been implemented in rural communities and has shown to be a safe way to promote physical activity among children. No safety concerns were reported in the studies involving Play Streets, suggesting it is generally safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Girls PLAY program treatment different from other treatments for promoting physical activity among rural girls?

The Girls PLAY program is unique because it focuses on making sports and physical activities fun and socially engaging for rural girls, emphasizing single-sex classes and noncompetitive activities to boost self-confidence and participation, unlike traditional coeducational sports programs. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

What data supports the effectiveness of the Girls PLAY program treatment?

Research shows that programs similar to Girls PLAY, like Girls on the Go! and Girls in Sport, have been effective in improving self-esteem and increasing physical activity among girls. These programs often include multiple components and focus on the unique needs of girls, which have been shown to be successful in promoting positive outcomes. ^{10 11 12 13 14}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy girls aged 8-10 living in Imperial County, California. They must be enrolled at a participating Boys & Girls Club site to join.

Inclusion Criteria

I live in Imperial County, California.

I am enrolled at a participating Boys & Girls Club site.

I identify as female.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention Development

Development and refinement of the 12-week Girls PLAY sport sampling and physical literacy intervention

12 weeks

Intervention Implementation

Implementation of the Girls PLAY program to assess feasibility and impact on physical activity levels

12 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity, literacy, and related constructs

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Girls PLAY program

Trial Overview The study tests the 'Girls PLAY program,' a 12-week sports sampling and physical literacy initiative designed to increase physical activity among rural girls.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Girls PLAY program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Diego State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Boys and Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

30+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials

3,987

Recruited

47,860,000+

Citations

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Trials of the Girls on the Go! Program to Improve Self-Esteem in Girls. [2018]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of a school-community linked program on physical activity levels and health-related quality of life for adolescent girls. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interventions to promote physical activity among young and adolescent girls: a systematic review. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspiring IDEA: Girls on the Run's developmental approach to and assessment of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access programming. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting physical activity among adolescent girls: the Girls in Sport group randomized trial. [2018]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Come together, play, be active: Physical activity engagement of school-age children at Play Streets in four diverse rural communities in the U.S. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Female Athlete Triad. [2018]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Differences in Child Physical Activity Levels at Rural Play Streets Due to Activity Type and Sex. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of troop leader training on the implementation of physical activity opportunities in Girl Scout troop meetings. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using a socioecological approach to examine participation in sport and physical activity among rural adolescent girls. [2015]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Girls on the Run: a quasi-experimental evaluation of a developmentally focused youth sport program. [2015]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preventing substance use and disordered eating: initial outcomes of the ATHENA (athletes targeting healthy exercise and nutrition alternatives) program. [2022]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in psychosocial factors and physical activity frequency among third- to eighth-grade girls who participated in a developmentally focused youth sport program: a preliminary study. [2009]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Girls on the Run: A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of a Developmentally Focused Youth Sport Program. [2019]