Physical Activity for Motor Skills in Preschoolers

(P-MAC Trial)

Overseen By Sofiya Alhassan, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Disqualifiers: Physical limitations, Moving away, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

112 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Movement and Cognition Intervention for improving motor skills in preschoolers?

Research shows that physical activity programs, like the Movement and Cognition Intervention, can significantly improve fundamental movement skills in preschoolers. A study found that a 10-week physical activity program led to better running, hopping, kicking, and throwing skills in young children, with improvements maintained even three months later. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the physical activity program for preschoolers safe?

The studies reviewed did not report any safety concerns related to physical activity programs for preschoolers, suggesting they are generally safe for young children. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

How does the Movement and Cognition Intervention treatment differ from other treatments for improving motor skills in preschoolers?

The Movement and Cognition Intervention is unique because it combines physical activity with cognitive tasks to enhance both motor skills and cognitive functions like working memory in preschoolers, unlike other treatments that may focus solely on physical activity. ^{3 4 8 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study will be to examine the implementation and preliminary efficacy of a teacher taught gross motor skill-based physical activity (PA) intervention on cognitive variables in low low socio-economic (SES) preschoolers. The movement and cognition intervention will be implemented for 4 days per week for 6 months. Primary outcome variables will be processed evaluation data. Secondary outcome variables will be changes in children's cognitive function (executive functions and memory), gross motor skills, and PA levels at baseline, 3- and 6-month.

Research Team

Sofiya Alhassan, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for preschool-age children (3-5 years old) from low socio-economic backgrounds. They must be enrolled in a childcare center with at least 40 kids and two full-day classrooms, not involved in other PA or motor skills programs, and plan to stay in the Springfield, MA area for the next 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria

I have a condition that limits my ability to move or be physically active.

This means that all children at the childcare center will take part in the activities organized by the center, but only some children will be asked to join in the study measurements.

I am between 3 and 5 years old.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Implementation of a teacher-taught gross motor skill-based physical activity intervention for preschoolers, conducted 4 days per week

6 months

Weekly monitoring and assessment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive function, gross motor skills, and physical activity levels

3 months

Assessments at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Movement and Cognition Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a teacher-led physical activity program focused on gross motor skills to see if it improves cognitive functions like memory and executive functions. It's conducted over six months with activities four days per week, comparing a health tracker control group against the intervention group.

Participant Groups

Group I: Movement and Cognition Intervention group (MAC) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Movement and Cognition group is the behavioral treatment group.

Group II: Health Tracker group (Control) Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Health tracker group is the control group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Lead Sponsor

Trials

83

Recruited

3,474,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention on Fundamental Motor Skill and Physical Activity in a Preschool Setting: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Does the Relationship Between Motor Skill Performance and Body Mass Index Impact Physical Activity in Preschool Children? [2018]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bi-directional prospective associations between objectively measured physical activity and fundamental motor skills in children: a two-year follow-up. [2020]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of a 10-Week Physical Activity Programme on Fundamental Movement Skills in 3-4-Year-Old Children within Early Childhood Education Centres. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Associations Between Motor Competence, Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity, and Body Mass Index Among Preschoolers Over 1 Year. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting fundamental movement skill development and physical activity in early childhood settings: a cluster randomized controlled trial. [2022]

7. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of the CHAMP intervention on fundamental motor skills and outdoor physical activity in preschoolers. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity of 3-4-Year-Old Children within Early Childhood Centers in New Zealand. [2021]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity intervention promotes working memory and motor competence in preschool children. [2023]

10. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity types and motor skills in 3-5-year old children: National Youth Fitness Survey. [2020]