Effect of a 6-Week Active Play Intervention on Fundamental Movement Skill Competence of Preschool Children: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Issue 2 (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Foulkes, J. D.; Knowles, Z.; Fairclough, S. J.; Stratton, G.; O'Dwyer, M.; Ridgers, N. D.; Foweather, L.
• Is Part Of: Perceptual and motor skills. Volume 124:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 393
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: preschool -- fundamental movement skills -- intervention -- active play -- randomized controlled trial; Perception -- Periodicals; Motor ability -- Periodicals; Motor Skills; Perception; Psychology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 152
• DOI: 10.1177/0031512516685200
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-5125

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of an active play intervention on fundamental movement skills of 3- to 5-year-old children from deprived communities. In a cluster randomized controlled trial design, six preschools received a resource pack and a 6-week local authority program involving staff training with help implementing 60-minute weekly sessions and postprogram support. Six comparison preschools received a resource pack only. Twelve skills were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and at a 6-month follow-up using the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol. One hundred and sixty-two children (Mean age = 4.64 ± 0.58 years; 53.1% boys) were included in the final analyses. There were no significant differences between groups for total fundamental movement skill, object-control skill or locomotor skill scores, indicating a need for program modification to facilitate greater skill improvements.