Promoting physical activity in rural girls through sports programs

Development and feasibility testing of a Boys & Girls Clubs' sports intervention to promote physical activity in rural girls: Girls PLAY

NIH-funded research San Diego State University · NIH-10993135

This study is creating a fun sports program just for rural girls to help them get active and enjoy physical activities, while also making sure it fits their needs and challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSan Diego State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Diego, United States)
Project IDNIH-10993135 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop and test a sports intervention program specifically designed for rural girls, in collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs. The project will unfold in three phases: development, optimization, and feasibility testing, focusing on culturally tailored strategies to encourage physical activity among girls who often face barriers to participation. By addressing issues such as competence, autonomy, and relatedness, the program seeks to enhance physical literacy and sport sampling among participants. The goal is to create an engaging and supportive environment that fosters sustained physical activity.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are rural girls, particularly those from Hispanic backgrounds, who are under 21 years old and may be experiencing barriers to physical activity.

Not a fit: Patients who are not from rural areas or who are older than 21 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase physical activity levels among rural girls, leading to improved health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous interventions aimed at promoting physical activity in youth have shown success, but this approach is novel in its focus on rural, Hispanic girls.

Where this research is happening

San Diego, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.