Physical Activity Interventions to Improve Fundamental Motor Skills in Preschoolers

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate interventions for improving fundamental motor skills (FMS) and physical activity (PA) levels in preschoolers. Mastery in FMS is associated with greater participation in PA in school aged children. Early childhood has been identified as the critical time for engaging in FMS development, however, there is limited research investigating this relationship in preschoolers aged 3-5 years. METHOD: We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases up until 31st October 2014. Randomised control trials (RCTs) using PA interventions with FMS as outcome measures in preschoolers were eligible for inclusion. Studies including children with disabilities or developmental delays were excluded. Between group mean differences, relative effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each outcome. RESULTS: Search terms yielded 1411 articles of which 8 RCTs and 2747 participants met the inclusion criteria. Studies were dichotomised into two groups (i) Teacher-Led (TL) Interventions (n=7) and (ii) Child-Centred (CC) Interventions (n=1). Mean age of children studied was 4.0±0.8yrs, with an equal gender distribution. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 16.52±0.23. On average interventions ran for 24±10wks, 3±1 times per week for 27±6mins. Five of the 7 TL studies reported significant improvements in FMS (ES Range 0.21-0.85;p≤0.01). The CC intervention also reported significant improvements in FMS, p≤0.001. Five TL interventions reported changes in PA levels, with one reporting significant improvements (ES 0.47;p≤0.01). Four studies reported body composition, with one reporting a significant decrease in BMI (p=0.02) and waist circumference (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: There is emerging evidence that PA interventions can improve FMS in preschoolers; however, there is a dearth of evidence on CC interventions, where an intervention is delivered directly to children by a trained professional. Targeting FMS development in this age group may promote higher PA levels throughout childhood, however more study is needed. Long term follow up is required to determine if improving FMS at preschool age increases participation in sports and PA. In addition, will it lead to lifestyle patterns throughout adolescence and adulthood, that will reduce the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.