The current study is a randomized controlled trial to test a novel 10-week climate-based intervention within pre-existing afterschool programs, designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in underserved (low-income, minority status) middle school youth by addressing youth social developmental needs. Participants (n = 167; 56% female; 62% black; 50% overweight/obese) enrolled in 6 middle schools were randomized to either the Connect through PLAY intervention or a wait-list control. Process evaluation measures (ie, observations of external evaluators; staff surveys) indicated that essential elements were implemented with fidelity, and staff endorsed implementation ease/feasibility and acceptability. Regression analysis demonstrated that participation in the intervention (versus control) was associated with an increase of 8.17 min of daily accelerometry-measured MVPA (56 min of additional weekly MVPA) at post-intervention controlling for baseline MVPA, school, gender, and weight status. The results provide support for social-motivational climate-based interventions for increasing MVPA in underserved youth that can inform future school-based health initiatives. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03850821 https://ClinicalTrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03850821?term=NCT03850821&rank=1.

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