Abstract
BackgroundCompared to other children, those with disability have additional challenges to being physically active. Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic form of childhood obesity that is characterized by hypotonia, growth hormone deficiency, behavioral, and cognitive disability. In children, the low prevalence of this syndrome (1 in 10,000 to 15,000 live births) makes group-based physical activity interventions difficult. In contrast, the home environment presents a natural venue to establish a physical activity routine for this population. This manuscript describes the design of a parent-led physical activity intervention incorporating playground and interactive console-based games to increase physical activity participation in youth with and without Prader-Willi Syndrome.Methods/DesignThe study participants will be 115 youth ages 8-15 y (45 with the syndrome and 70 without the syndrome but categorized as obese). The study will use a parallel design with the control group receiving the intervention after serving as control. Participants will be expected to complete a physical activity curriculum 4 days a week for 6 months including playground games 2 days a week and interactive console games 2 days a week. Parents will be trained at baseline and then provided with a curriculum and equipment to guide their implementation of the program. Tips related to scheduling and coping with barriers to daily program implementation will be provided. Throughout, parents will be contacted by phone once a week (weeks 1-4) and then every other week to receive support in between visits. Measurements of children and parents will be obtained at baseline, 12 weeks, and at the end (week 24) of the intervention. Children main outcomes include physical activity (accelerometry), body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry), motor proficiency (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency), quality of life and physical activity self-efficacy (questionnaires). Intervention compliance will be monitored using mail-in daily self-report checklists.DiscussionThis parent-guided physical activity intervention aims to increase physical activity by using a curriculum that builds physical activity related self-confidence through the development and/or enhancement of motor skill competency. Ultimately, helping children develop these skills as well as joy in being physically active will translate into sustained behavior change.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trial: NCT02058342
Highlights
Compared to other children, those with disability have additional challenges to being physically active
Data analyses The main purpose of this study is to investigate shortterm changes in PA, motor proficiency, and health-related outcomes in children with and without disability following completion of a physical activity program conducted in the home environment
The Active Play @ Home study differs from other homebased intervention studies because it provides parents and children with a well-rounded and systematically progressed game-based curriculum
Summary
Those with disability have additional challenges to being physically active. The home environment presents a natural venue to establish a physical activity routine for this population. This manuscript describes the design of a parent-led physical activity intervention incorporating playground and interactive console-based games to increase physical activity participation in youth with and without Prader-Willi Syndrome. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the Subcommittee of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and the American College of Sports Medicine, among others, recommend that children and youth participate in 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) [1,2]. Low participation in PA has been linked to the increasing prevalence of obesity in youth with disability [7]
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