An Intervention For Fundamental Motor Skills And Physical Activity In Pre-schoolers: A Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) is important for health and development in preschool-aged children yet only 34% of Australian pre-schoolers achieve the recommended levels. Fundamental motor skill (FMS) interventions have been shown to improve FMS proficiency and PA levels, however, whether these changes are maintained post-intervention is unknown. We aimed to determine if a 12-week FMS program improved FMS and PA in pre-schoolers; and if so, whether these improvements were maintained 12 weeks post-intervention. METHODS: The PhysicaL ActivitY and Fundamental Motor Skills in Pre-schoolers (PLAYFun) Program was a cluster randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from 4 University pre-schools. The PLAYFun Program was a 12-week, games-based, FMS program delivered directly into the centers by an exercise physiologist. Primary outcomes included FMS proficiency, objective PA and parent perceived PA assessed at baseline, 12 weeks and 12 weeks after the completion of the intervention (week 24). Differences within and between groups were assessed via a one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Forty-nine participants (mean age 4.0±0.6; 54% male) were recruited. Children attended on average 2.0±1.0 sessions per week for 40 minutes per session. Participants in the PLAYFun Program demonstrated a significantly greater increase in object control (p=0.003) and total FMS (p=0.019) proficiency at week 12 compared to controls. Locomotor skills score (M 14.83 95% confidence interval (95%CI) [3.90 to 25.75]; p=0.012), object control skills (M 24.11 [9.93 to 38.29]; p=0.003) and gross motor quotient (M 20.14 [8.33 to 31.96]; p=0.003) all significantly improved when children attended twice a week, but these improvements were not maintained at 24 weeks. Girls in PLAYFun significantly increased objective moderate to vigorous PA after the intervention (P=0.015), but not boys. This increase was also not maintained 12 weeks post-completion of PLAYFun. No significant relationships between FMS and PA outcomes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Motor skill programs delivered directly to preschool children by an exercise physiologist within their preschool is effective at improving FMS proficiency in boys and girls and PA in girls. However, these improvements are not maintained when the practice is not ongoing.