Unlocking Activity in Inactive Children: A Gender‑Based Comparison of Three Physical Training Interventions

Abstract

With physical inactivity among schoolchildren emerging as a global health concern, this research anchored in Self‑Determination Theory and Gender Role Theory investigates the differential impact of tailored, school‑based physical activity programs Aerobic Plus Re‑ sistance Training (APRT), Functional Training Program (FTP), Plyometric Training Program (PTP) alongside Behavior Change Techniques (BCT), inϐluence sports participation, physical ϐitness, and sedentary behaviour among inactive Pakistani schoolchildren aged 9–12. A cross‑sectional survey combined with a pre–post intervention design was conducted within the School Education Department (SED Pun‑ jab), with gender examined as a moderating factor. Ethical approval was obtained from the University Malaya Research Ethics Committee and the SED Punjab. The research involved 90 children who were physically inactive and unwilling to participate in sports activities, and these children were randomly divided into three groups (APRT = 30, PTP = 30, FTP = 30). The EUROFIT instrument was used to assess physical ϐitness, while YAP was used to assess sedentary behavior, and PAQ‑C was used to assess sports participation. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS and included Pearson correlations, regression models, and ANCOVA with a signiϐicance level of α = 0.05. The results showed that all interventions were effective, but functional and plyometric training were more effective in improving movement quality and reducing sedentary time. Gender was a signiϐicant moderator in several relationships, with boys beneϐiting more from the interventions. These results highlight the need for developing school‑based physical activity programs that incorporate behavioral strategies and are gender sensitive. The functional and plyometric approaches were found to be effective in both genders. Encouraging team sports within the school day may be a practical and effective strategy for helping children meet the World Health Organization recommendations for daily physical activity.