Motor Skills Intervention for Sedentary Lifestyle in Children

(CHAMP-ASP Trial)

Overseen By Leah E Robinson, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Syndromes, Major illness, Disabilities, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 19 weeks

264 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to boost physical activity and motor skills in children attending afterschool programs in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area. It focuses on testing a new motor skills program called CHAMP-ASP (Children's Health Activity Motor Program-Afterschool Program), which encourages kids to be more active and improve their motor skills and physical fitness. The trial compares this program to standard afterschool activities to determine which is more effective. Children in grades K-2 who attend afterschool programs in the specified areas may be suitable participants, provided they do not have conditions that limit physical activity. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for children to enhance their physical fitness and motor skills in a supportive environment.

Do I need to stop my child's current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether children need to stop taking their current medications. It seems focused on physical activity, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required, but please check with the trial organizers to be sure.

What prior data suggests that this motor skills intervention is safe for children?

Research has shown that the CHAMP motor skills program is safe for children. In a study with preschoolers, participants in a 5-week, 600-minute CHAMP program improved their motor skills and became more active, with no negative effects reported. Similar school programs have also helped kids stay active and enhance their basic motor skills without major safety issues. This evidence suggests that the program is safe for children and offers benefits without significant risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the CHAMP motor skills intervention because it offers a unique, interactive approach to tackling sedentary lifestyles in children. Unlike typical after-school programs that might not focus specifically on motor skills, CHAMP provides a structured environment where kids actively engage in motor activities designed to enhance decision-making and physical skills. This intervention is distinct because it incorporates a mastery climate, encouraging children to progress through different motor activity stations, which is expected to reinforce positive physical activity habits. By focusing on active motor engagement and tailored instruction, CHAMP aims to foster lifelong healthy behaviors in a way that's both educational and fun.

What evidence suggests that this motor skills intervention is effective for improving physical activity in children?

Research has shown that the CHAMP motor skills program, which participants in this trial may receive, can improve motor skills and increase physical activity in children. In one study, preschoolers who participated in a 5-week, 600-minute CHAMP program showed noticeable improvements in their motor skills and became more active. Another study found that CHAMP not only enhanced motor skills but also helped children develop better self-control, such as waiting patiently for something they want. These findings suggest that participating in organized motor skills activities like CHAMP can positively affect young children's physical development and activity levels. Overall, the evidence supports CHAMP's potential to improve motor skills and encourage healthier lifestyles. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Leah E Robinson, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children in grades K-2, typically aged 5-8 years, who are attending afterschool programs (ASPs) in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti and Lansing/East Lansing areas. It's not for kids with diseases or disabilities that limit physical activity.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must be attending an ASP in the Ann-Arbor/Ypsilanti and Lansing/East Lansing area

Exclusion Criteria

I have a major illness or disability that limits my physical activity.

Participants diagnosed with syndromes or diseases that affect PA participation

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Children participate in the CHAMP-ASP program for 35 minutes/day, 3-4 days/week for 19 weeks

19 weeks

3-4 visits per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sustained effects on physical activity, motor performance, and health-related outcomes

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Motor Skills Intervention

Trial Overview

The CHAMP ASP study tests a program to increase physical activity among young children. Kids will do motor skills exercises for about 35 minutes per day, several times a week over 19 weeks. The goal is to see if this improves their fitness and reduces sedentary behavior.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CHAMP-ASP Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

CHAMP, is a mastery climate motor skills intervention, that provides children the opportunity to establish behaviors that reinforce decision-making while participating in a motor activity tasks. Children will participate in CHAMP for 35 minutes/day 3-4 days per week for 19 weeks. Each 35-min session consists of three parts: 1. 3-5 min of motor skill introductory activity that includes a group motor activity, the teaching of the lesson that includes a demonstration and understanding of developmentally appropriate learning clues; 2. 25 min of motor skill instruction and practice (i.e., 'active motor engagement'), participants will be encouraged to move through 3-4 motor activity stations that align with the TARGET structure; and 3. 3 -5 min motor skill closure activity that involves a review of the lesson and critical elements.

Group II: Control - Standard of Practice Active Control 1 Intervention

The Control (standard of practice) condition will be the school typical ASP and will be implemented according to the existing procedures.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

Collaborator

Trials

623

Recruited

10,400,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The CHAMP-ASP program, involving 264 K-2 graders participating in 35 minutes of physical activity three times a week for 19 weeks, aims to enhance children's physical activity levels and motor competence, with assessments conducted before, immediately after, and one year post-intervention.

The study seeks to determine if improvements in perceived motor competence mediate the program's effects on physical activity, potentially influencing public health policies to promote sustainable physical activity in early childhood.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protocol for a multicenter-cluster randomized clinical trial of a motor skills intervention to promote physical activity and health in children: the CHAMP afterschool program study. Robinson, LE., Palmer, KK., Santiago-Rodríguez, ME., et al.[2023]

The CHAMPS Motor Skills Protocol (CMSP) was developed and validated as a reliable tool for assessing motor skills in preschool children aged 3-5 years, tested on 297 children across 22 preschools.

The CMSP demonstrated high reliability and validity, with coefficients generally above 0.90, making it suitable for use in large epidemiological studies in field-based settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Field-Based Testing Protocol for Assessing Gross Motor Skills in Preschool Children: The CHAMPS Motor Skills Protocol (CMSP). Williams, HG., Pfeiffer, KA., Dowda, M., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 99 children aged around 4 years, those participating in the Children's Health Activity Motor Program (CHAMP) engaged in significantly less light physical activity compared to those in outdoor free play.

However, both groups showed similar levels of moderate, vigorous, and overall moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), suggesting that while CHAMP may limit light activity, it does not compromise higher intensity physical engagement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are Gross Motor Skill Interventions an Equitable Replacement for Outdoor Free Play Regarding Children's Physical Activity? Palmer, KK., Farquhar, JM., Chinn, KM., et al.[2023]

Teacher-led interventions significantly improved fundamental motor skills (FMS) in preschoolers, with a notable effect on object control and locomotor skills, based on a review of 20 trials involving 4255 children.

While there was a trend towards increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time, these changes were not statistically significant, indicating a need for further research, especially on child-centered interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interventions to improve fundamental motor skills in pre-school aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Van Capelle, A., Broderick, CR., van Doorn, N., et al.[2022]

A six-month randomized controlled trial involving 150 preschool children showed that an educator-led program for gross motor skills and physical activity had small to medium positive effects on children's gross motor skills and physical activity levels, although these were not statistically significant.

The study emphasizes the potential of educator-led interventions in early childhood settings, suggesting that further research is needed to explore their effectiveness and implementation in promoting physical activity and motor skill development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting gross motor skills and physical activity in childcare: A translational randomized controlled trial. Jones, RA., Okely, AD., Hinkley, T., et al.[2022]

This project aims to identify the essential components of effective interventions that help children with motor impairments participate more in physical play and leisure activities, addressing a significant gap in current treatment approaches.

By following a structured methodology based on WHO guidelines, the project will create a detailed protocol for a new intervention, which, if proven effective, could enhance the well-being and social participation of children with motor difficulties.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Participation in physical play and leisure: developing a theory- and evidence-based intervention for children with motor impairments. Kolehmainen, N., Francis, JJ., Ramsay, CR., et al.[2023]

The 'Join the Healthy Boat' program, involving 1943 primary school children, effectively reduced screen media use among girls and children from low-education backgrounds after one year, highlighting its potential for promoting healthier habits.

The intervention showed that active parental involvement is crucial for success, particularly in reaching children who are typically harder to engage, such as those with parents who have lower educational levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intervention effects of a school-based health promotion programme on obesity related behavioural outcomes. Kobel, S., Wirt, T., Schreiber, A., et al.[2022]

A study involving 145 children aged 9 to 12 found that fundamental movement skills (FMS) are significantly associated with various health indicators, such as body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness, regardless of the assessment tool used (Passport for Life or PLAYbasic).

Both FMS assessment tools showed similar associations with health indicators, suggesting that improving FMS could potentially enhance children's overall health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association between Functional Movements Skills and Health Indicators in Children Aged between 9 and 12 Years Old. Comeau, ME., Bouchard, DR., Levesque, C., et al.[2023]

The Children's Health Activity Motor Program (CHAMP) significantly increased preschoolers' physical activity levels, with more time spent walking and in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to a traditional movement program.

Boys were generally more active than girls in both programs, but CHAMP allowed for more skill practice and less time spent on management tasks, suggesting it is an effective method for enhancing physical activity engagement in young children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of CHAMP on Physical Activity and Lesson Context in Preschoolers: A Feasibility Study. Robinson, LE., Palmer, KK., Webster, EK., et al.[2022]

A motor skill intervention significantly improved playtime, self-perceptions of social and motor competence, and engagement in physical education among children with obesity and motor delays, indicating enhanced overall health and self-concept.

Children in the intervention group also showed a reduction in BMI and screen time, demonstrating the intervention's effectiveness in promoting healthier lifestyle habits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intervention for Children with Obesity and Overweight and Motor Delays from Low-Income Families: Fostering Engagement, Motor Development, Self-Perceptions, and Playtime. Berleze, A., Valentini, NC.[2023]

In a study of 198 preschool children, those with better motor skills were found to engage in significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) compared to their peers with poorer motor skills.

Children in the highest tertile for total motor skill scores spent less time being sedentary and more time being active, highlighting the importance of developing motor skills for promoting physical activity and potentially preventing obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Motor skill performance and physical activity in preschool children. Williams, HG., Pfeiffer, KA., O'Neill, JR., et al.[2022]

In a study of 352 children aged 4-10 from urban Brazil, various factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), school environments, and motor skills were found to influence physical activity (PA) levels differently among children with typical development (TD), those at risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder (r-DCD), and those with DCD.

For all groups, screen time and active play were significant factors associated with body mass index (BMI), highlighting the importance of managing screen time and promoting active play to support healthier weight outcomes in children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individual and environmental parameters in children with and without developmental coordination disorder: associations with physical activity and body mass index. Valentini, NC., de Souza, PS., de Souza, MS., et al.[2023]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9375271/

the CHAMP afterschool program study - PMC - PubMed Central

The proposed clinical trial aims to test the effects of CHAMP when non-motor development experts implement on motor competence, PA, and health ...

2.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35964114/

Protocol for a multicenter-cluster randomized clinical trial of a ...

Protocol for a multicenter-cluster randomized clinical trial of a motor skills intervention to promote physical activity and health in children: ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301212

The effect of the CHAMP intervention on fundamental ...

The present study found that preschoolers who engaged in a 5-week, 600-min CHAMP intervention improved their motor skills across time and were more active at ...

4.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00173/full

Effect of the Children's Health Activity Motor Program on ...

This efficacy trial provided evidence that CHAMP helped maintain delay of gratification in preschool age children and significantly improved motor skills.

5.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740923005169

Effect of intervention programs to promote fundamental ...

This study aims to evaluate and provide up-to-date evidence on the effectiveness of intervention programs focused on promoting FMS among typically developing ...

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researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/264165397_Physical_Activity_and_Skills_Intervention_SCORES_Cluster_Randomized_Controlled_Trial

Physical Activity and Skills Intervention: SCORES Cluster ...

Conclusions: A school-based multicomponent PA and FMS intervention maintained daily MVPA, improved overall FMS competency, and increased ...

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journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0308047&type=printable

Health motor skills and physical activity intervention in early ...

Background. Children have alarmingly low levels of competency in fundamental motor skills (FMS) and high levels of physical inactivity.