Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Childcare Provider-led Activity Intervention on Toddlers’ Physical Activity Levels: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Toddlers spend a significant portion of their time within the childcare setting being sedentary. Therefore, interventions are needed to improve toddlers’ physical activity (PA) within this setting. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 10-week activity program on toddlers’ time spent in total PA during the childcare day. Methods Childcare centers were randomized to either the Toddler Activity Pilot (TAP; centers, n = 2; children, n = 37) or the control (CON; center, n = 1; children, n = 13). The TAP intervention consisted of age and gross-motor appropriate PA intervention implemented for 10 min/day, four days/week for 10 weeks by providers and researchers during the late fall through winter. PA was assessed with accelerometers. Results There was a significant between groups linear change difference in light PA (γ11 = 31.47, SE = 15.02, p = 0.039) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, γ11 = 9.34, SE = 4.28, p = 0.032). Compared to CON, the TAP group maintained their time spent in light PA (γssTAPchange = −5.57, SE = 7.57, p = 0.46) and in MVPA (γssTAPchange = −0.69, SE = 2.16, p = 0.75), whereas the CON group decreased their PA levels. Discussion Intervention did not increase toddlers’ time spent in PA but does show promise in preventing the seasonal decline in PA that occurs during the winter months in children.