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Olesen LG, Grøntved A, Brønd JC, Hestbæk L, Kristensen PL. Effectiveness of a Preschool Motor Skill Intervention on Body Mass Index and Movement Behavior: 6-, 18-, and 30-Month Findings From a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatr Exerc Sci 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38653455 DOI: 10.1123/pes.2023-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the effectiveness of a preschool staff-delivered motor skills intervention on body composition and physical activity over a 2.5-year time frame. METHODS In this pragmatic parallel cluster randomized controlled trial (16 preschools), outcome data were collected after 6 (body composition only), 18, and 30 months of intervention. The main physical activity outcomes were accelerometer behavior measures summarizing the total percentage of child daily movement (walk, run, cycle, and standing that included minor movements) and preschool movement during preschool attendance. To estimate between-group mean differences in outcomes, mixed-linear regression analyses including baseline value of the selected outcome and a treatment × time interaction term as a fixed effect were applied. In addition, the baseline preschool and child were included as a random effect. RESULTS For body mass index, a total of 437 children (90%) had at least one valid baseline and one follow-up assessment. The corresponding numbers for preschool movement and daily movement were 163 (55%) and 146 (49%), respectively. No significant between-group mean difference was identified for body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, or any physical activity outcomes. CONCLUSION Overall, this preschool motor skills intervention had no effect on either child anthropometry or physical activity, consistent with previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Grønholt Olesen
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, Aarhus,Denmark
| | - Anders Grøntved
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,Denmark
| | - Jan Christian Brønd
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,Denmark
| | - Lise Hestbæk
- The Chiropractic Knowledge Hub and Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,Denmark
| | - Peter Lund Kristensen
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,Denmark
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Zhou P, Li Y, Lau PWC, Yan L, Song H, Shi TL. Effectiveness of parent-based electronic health ( eHealth) intervention on physical activity, dietary behaviors, and sleep in preschoolers: A systematic review. J Exerc Sci Fit 2024; 22:1-13. [PMID: 38021206 PMCID: PMC10663681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The lifestyles of preschoolers have become physically inactive and sedentary, their eating habits unhealthy, and their sleep routines increasingly disturbed. Parental involvement appears crucial to combat the unhealthy lifestyle of preschoolers. Because of the recognized barriers to traditional face-to-face interventions, easy access and lower costs make electronic health (eHealth) interventions appealing. However, whether parent-based eHealth intervention may be harnessed to improve the aforementioned lifestyle behaviors of preschoolers is currently unclear, a gap that this systematic review intends to address. This study aims to systematically review the current literature concerning the effectiveness of parent-based eHealth intervention on the physical activity, dietary behaviors, and sleep of preschoolers. Method This systematic review conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement. Six databases (EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO) were retrieved for the period from January 2000 to December 2022. Studies were eligible if 1 they were quantitative study design; 2 eHealth interventions in which parents were the change agents targeted children aged 3-6 years; 3 interventions examined the effectiveness of eHealth or incorporated eHealth as one of the intervention modalities; 4 at least one variable included in either primary or secondary outcome had to concentrate on the physical activity, diet, and sleep of preschoolers; 5 publication type was limited to the English language and peer-reviewed journal articles; 6 study settings were confined to family- or parent-based ones. The risk of bias was assessed, based upon Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-tool for randomized trials (RoB2). Results Twelve studies were screened. No significant group-by-time improvement in physical activity was found in studies related to physical activity outcomes. Two studies reported a significant difference between groups concerning motor ability, with one study indicating improved object control with the other reporting improvement in both object control and locomotor skills. Of the studies related to dietary behavior outcomes, six studies reported a significant difference at the posttest compared to the control group, in terms of vegetable and fruit intake, sugar-sweetened drinks, reduced candy consumption, and improved non-core food. Three studies reported a significant difference between groups in sleep duration at the end of the posttest, with the result of one study limited to preference-only participants. None of the reviewed studies found a significant difference between groups for sleep problems. Conclusion Parent-based eHealth interventions were not significantly effective in improving physical activity and reducing sleep problems in preschoolers, but the majority of studies have found that this type of intervention significantly improves the dietary behaviors and sleep duration of preschoolers. High-quality, robustly designed studies to balance the intervention dosage and sequence are needed to investigate the effectiveness of parent-based eHealth intervention on physical activity, dietary behaviors, and sleep in preschoolers, particularly those raised in other cultural background, which may significantly impact their lifestyle. Trial registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO): CRD42023418861.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhou
- Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yin Li
- Department of Physical Education, Sun Yat-sen University, China
| | - Patrick WC. Lau
- Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liang Yan
- Department of Physical Education, China Women's University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiqi Song
- Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tony Lei Shi
- Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, China
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Al-Walah MA, Donnelly M, Cunningham C, Heron N. Which behaviour change techniques are associated with interventions that increase physical activity in pre-school children? A systematic review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2013. [PMID: 37845721 PMCID: PMC10580560 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16885-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a significant risk factor that contributes to several health problems and there is a need to improve our understanding of how to increase PA, particularly among young children. This review (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022328841) investigated the relationship between behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and interventions that increased PA among pre-school children aged < 6 years old. METHODS Systematic searches of six databases were undertaken from inception to July 2022, updated in December 2022, to locate studies that evaluated interventions and reported a positive change in PA levels in children aged < 6 years old. RESULTS A total of 5,304 studies were screened, and 28 studies involving 10,605 subjects aged 2.5 to 5.9 years met the eligibility criteria. Each eligible study (n = 28) was independently appraised by two researchers using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The BCT Taxonomy v1 and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) guided the extraction and analysis of data, and this process led to the identification of 27 BCTs. CONCLUSIONS Potentially promising BCTs for increasing PA among young children included 'shaping knowledge,' 'antecedents,' 'goals and planning,' and 'comparison of behaviour.' Future PA interventions that target young children should consider integrating these promising BCTs into their programmes. However, such consideration needs to be tempered by the fact that most of the reviewed studies were deemed to have a high or unclear risk of bias and/or were limited with respect to the populations that they targeted. Further research using rigorous methodologies is required to establish a higher standard that addresses the needs of young children who are expected to have insufficient levels of physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosfer A Al-Walah
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, 21974, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Michael Donnelly
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Conor Cunningham
- School of Health Science, Ulster University, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Neil Heron
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
- School of Medicine, Keele University, England, UK
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Neshteruk C, Burkart S, Flanagan EW, Melnick E, Luecking C, Kracht CL. Policy, systems, and environmental interventions addressing physical activity in early childhood education settings: A systematic review. Prev Med 2023; 173:107606. [PMID: 37414226 PMCID: PMC10699121 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches can facilitate physical activity in priority populations (e.g., racial and ethnic minority, low wealth groups) within early childhood education (ECE) settings. The purpose of this review was to 1) characterize the inclusion of priority populations within ECE physical activity interventions containing PSE approaches and 2) identify and describe interventions within these populations. Seven databases were systematically searched (January 2000-Febrary 2022) for ECE-based interventions focusing on children (0-6 years) that utilized at least one PSE approach. Eligible studies included a child physical activity or physical activity environment outcome and child or center-level population characteristics. Forty-four studies, representing 42 interventions were identified. For Aim 1, half of interventions included one PSE approach (21/42), with only 11/42 including three or more approaches. Physical environment changes [e.g., adding play equipment, modifying space (25/42)] were the most used PSE approaches followed by system [e.g., integrating activity into routines, (21/42)] and policy [e.g., outdoor time (20/42)] approaches. Nearly half of interventions were conducted in predominantly priority populations (18/42). Studies were primarily rated as good (51%) or fair (38%) methodological quality using the Downs and Black checklist. In Aim 2, of the 12 interventions assessing child physical activity in priority populations, 9/12 reported at least one physical activity outcome in the expected direction. Of the 11 interventions assessing the physical activity environment, 9/11 reported an effect in the expected direction. Findings indicate clear opportunities exist to target priority populations by incorporating PSE approaches in ECE physical activity interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Neshteruk
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America.
| | - Sarah Burkart
- Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Emily W Flanagan
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States of America
| | - Emily Melnick
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America
| | - Courtney Luecking
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Chelsea L Kracht
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States of America
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In It for the Long Haul: RE-AIM Evaluation of a Preschool Programme Implementing and Maintaining Adult-Initiated Motor Skill Development and Physical Activity across a Two-Year Period. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052544. [PMID: 35270237 PMCID: PMC8909496 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Good motor skills (MS) are considered important for children's social, psychological and physical development and general physical activity (PA) levels. The Motor skill in Preschool study (MiPS) aimed to optimize children's MS through weekly PA sessions. The aim of this study is to use the RE-AIM framework to report the two-year implementation process of MiPS since the programme's initiation. Data were collected through a staff questionnaire based on the RE-AIM framework. Data were collected at three months, one year and two years after initiation. Results show that the pedagogical staff believes that the programme promotes MS in children. Implementation measures only showed medium to low fidelity concerning the core element of performing adult-initiated PA sessions with a duration of at least 45 min 4 days a week. The largest barrier was finding the time to plan these PA sessions. Still, the content of the PA sessions achieved high fidelity scores and the programme was deemed suitable for staff's everyday practice and in alignment with the stated pedagogical goals. The mandatory competence development course was highly valued as strong implementation support. It is notable that there is a large variation in the implementation among the preschools with some struggling more than others.
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Interventions to Improve Child Physical Activity in the Early Childhood Education and Care Setting: An Umbrella Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19041963. [PMID: 35206152 PMCID: PMC8872396 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19041963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are a key setting to support improvements in the physical activity of young children. This umbrella review gathered and synthesised systematic review evidence of the effectiveness of interventions in the ECEC setting on the physical activity levels of children aged 0-6. We also mapped the current evidence to the existing ECEC sector-specific physical activity practice recommendations. Five electronic databases were searched to identify systematic reviews that evaluated the impact of any ECEC-based interventions on the physical activity levels (e.g., moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, total physical activity) of children aged 0-6. One reviewer extracted data on intervention effectiveness and quality of the reviews, checked by a second reviewer. Ten reviews were included. Overall, the majority of the reviews found interventions delivered in ECEC improved child physical activity. Across reviews, the impact of six intervention strategies were identified, mapped to four (of eight) broad recommendations (i.e., providing opportunity, offering educator training, educators promoting the benefits of physical activity, creating a physical activity-promoting environment). The impact of the majority of recommendations, however, did not have systematic review evidence. Further investigation of the effectiveness of ECEC-based physical activity strategies is required to demonstrate support for the existing recommended practices.
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7
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Speer KE, Koenig J, Telford RM, Olive LS, Mara JK, Semple S, Naumovski N, Telford RD, McKune AJ. Relationship between heart rate variability and body mass index: A cross-sectional study of preschool children. Prev Med Rep 2021; 24:101638. [PMID: 34976689 PMCID: PMC8684011 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart rate variability and BMI are inversely related in preschool children. One unit increase in BMI resulted in a reduction in RMSSD(ln) of 0.06% Age, sex and physical activity levels did not influence this relationship.
Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with overweight and obesity in adults. However, little is known about this relationship in early childhood. We investigated the relationship between resting vagally-mediated HRV and body mass index (BMI) in Australian preschool children. Children were recruited from 13 non-government early learning centres located in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. From this population-based sample, data from 146 healthy children (58 females) between 3 and 5 years of age (mean age 4.35 ± 0.44 years) were analysed. BMI was calculated from child body weight and height. Physical activity was recorded using an Actigraph wGT3x accelerometer worn at the waist of participants over 3 consecutive days. A Polar H10 chest strap measured seated, resting RR intervals for the calculation of HRV with the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) reflecting vagally-mediated activity. The relationship between HRV and BMI was analysed using a linear mixed model adjusted for age, sex and physical activity. Analysis revealed that RMSSD (ln) demonstrated a significant inverse relationship with BMI (β = -0.06; 95% CI = -0.12 – −0.01; p = 0.032), and the model accounted for 23% of the variance in RMSSD (ln). Notably, a one unit increase in BMI resulted in a reduction in RMSDD (ln) of 0.06. This investigation demonstrated evidence for a significant inverse linear relationship between vagally-mediated HRV and BMI in 3 – 5-year-old Australian children, similar to that of adults. Furthermore, this relationship was independent of age, sex and physical activity levels. Results may indicate that the cardiometabolic health of preschool children is, in part, influenced by the relationship between vagally-mediated HRV and weight status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Speer
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Research Institute for Sport and Exercise/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Julian Koenig
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rohan M Telford
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Lisa S Olive
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jocelyn K Mara
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Research Institute for Sport and Exercise/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stuart Semple
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Research Institute for Sport and Exercise/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Nenad Naumovski
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Functional Foods and Nutrition Research (FFNR) Laboratory, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.,Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens 17671, Greece
| | - Richard D Telford
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Andrew J McKune
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Research Institute for Sport and Exercise/University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Sciences/ University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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8
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Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity of 3-4-Year-Old Children within Early Childhood Centers in New Zealand. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8090742. [PMID: 34572174 PMCID: PMC8469423 DOI: 10.3390/children8090742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We sought to describe and explore relationships between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and level of physical activity (PA; light-, medium-, vigorous, and kCal/hour) in preschool children, aged 3–4-years-old, across four early childhood education (ECE) settings. Children’s FMS were assessed using the Test for Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2; n = 81) and PA via accelerometers (S = 53). Eighty-four children participated, with 50 in both assessments. The TGMD-2 showed as the children got older, their locomotor skills (p < 0.001, r = 0.512) and object control motor skills (p < 0.001, r = 0.383) improved. Accelerometry showed children were primarily inactive at ECE (78.3% of the time). There were significant correlations between kCal/hour and light (p < 0.001, r = −0.688), moderate (p < 0.001, r = 0.599) and vigorous (p < 0.001, rs = 0.707) activity, and between gross motor quotient and locomotor (p < 0.001, r = 0.798) and object control (p < 0.001, r = 0.367) skills. No correlation was observed between gross motor quotient and kCal/hour. To conclude, children in this cohort were primarily inactive during ECE center hours. Moreover, gross motor quotient was significantly correlated to locomotor and object control skills.
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Speer KE, McKune AJ, Telford RM, Semple S, Naumovski N, Olive LS, Telford RD. Heart rate variability improves in 3-5-year-old children following a 6-month physical activity-based intervention: the Active Early Learning (AEL) cluster randomised controlled trial. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2021; 47:1-9. [PMID: 34432989 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2021-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) measurement provides non-invasive assessment of autonomic stability and cardiometabolic disease risk. Insufficient physical activity in early childhood may contribute to negative cardiometabolic health. The Active Early Learning (AEL) study was a 6-month randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of a physical activity-based program incorporating movement within the daily curriculum of preschool children. The current study assessed the effects of the AEL intervention on HRV as a measure of cardiac vagal control. Children aged between 3-5 years and enrolled in a preschool with an attendance of ≥15 children were eligible. Physical activity was recorded using an Actigraph wGT3x accelerometer worn at the waist of participants over 3 consecutive days. A Polar H10 chest strap measured HRV with the HF-band and RMSSD representing cardiac vagal control. After 6 months of the AEL trial, linear mixed model analyses revealed a significant intervention effect for increased HF (p = 0.044). The control group did not demonstrate changes in cardiac vagal control after the intervention ceased. Independent of age, sex, physical activity and BMI, the AEL study elicited significant improvements in the cardiac vagal control of participants who received the intervention. Findings highlight the importance of investigating HRV for assessing the cardiometabolic health in young children. ANZCTR trial registration number: ACTRN12619000638134. Novelty: The AEL curriculum improved child HRV independent of age, sex, physical activity and BMI. Heart rate and RR intervals did not demonstrate changes for the intervention and control groups. Multivariate programs for developing physical competence, confidence, knowledge and motivation may improve child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Speer
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Andrew J McKune
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Rohan M Telford
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stuart Semple
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Nenad Naumovski
- Faculty of Health, Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Functional Foods and Nutrition Research (FFNR) Laboratory, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, 17671, Greece
| | - Lisa S Olive
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard D Telford
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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The Effect of a 10-Week Physical Activity Programme on Fundamental Movement Skills in 3-4-Year-Old Children within Early Childhood Education Centres. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8060440. [PMID: 34073725 PMCID: PMC8225089 DOI: 10.3390/children8060440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a 10-week physical activity (PA) programme, in early childhood education (ECE) settings, on 3 and 4-year-old children’s fundamental movement skills (FMS). A further aim was to examine FMS three-months post-intervention. The PA instructors delivered one 45 min session/week over 10 weeks, to 3- and 4-year-old children (n = 46), across four ECE centres. These sessions involved participation from ECE teachers. Children in the control group (CON; n = 20) received no PA classes and completed pre- and post-intervention assessments only. Locomotor (e.g., running/hopping) and object-control (e.g., kicking/throwing) skills were assessed using the Test for Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2), before and after the intervention and, for the intervention group (EXP), at 3 months. Locomotor and object-control skills significantly improved in the EXP group, with typically no change in the CON group. The EXP group’s locomotor and object-control skills were maintained at 3 months. The 10-week PA intervention successfully improved 3- and 4-year-old children’s FMS.
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Wick K, Kriemler S, Granacher U. Effects of a Strength-Dominated Exercise Program on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Performance in Preschool Children. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35:983-990. [PMID: 33752222 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000003942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Wick, K, Kriemler, S, and Granacher, U. Effects of a strength-dominated exercise program on physical fitness and cognitive performance in preschool children. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 983-990, 2021-Childhood is characterized by high neuroplasticity that affords qualitative rather than quantitative components of physical activity to maximize the potential to sufficiently develop motor skills and foster long-term engagement in regular physical activity. This study examined the effects of an integrative strength-dominated exercise program on measures of physical fitness and cognitive performance in preschool children. Children aged 4-6 years from 3 kindergartens were randomized into an intervention (INT) group (n = 32) or a control group (n = 22). The 10-week intervention period was conducted 3 times per week (each session lasted 30 minutes) and included exercises for the promotion of muscle strength and power, coordination, and balance. Pre and post training, tests were conducted for the assessment of muscle strength (i.e., handgrip strength), muscle power (i.e., standing long jump), balance (i.e., timed single-leg stand), coordination (hopping on right/left leg), and attentional span (i.e., "Konzentrations-Handlungsverfahren für Vorschulkinder" [concentration-action procedure for preschoolers]). Results from 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) and near significant (p = 0.051) group × time interaction for the standing long jump test and the Konzentrations-Handlungsverfahren. Post hoc tests showed significant pre-post changes for the INT (p < 0.001; d = 1.53) but not the CON (p = 0.72; d = 0.83). Our results indicate that a 10-week strength-dominated exercise program increased jump performance with a concomitant trend toward improvements in attentional capacity of preschool children. Thus, we recommend implementing this type of exercise program for preschoolers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Wick
- University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Division of Training and Movement Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; and
| | - Susi Kriemler
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Granacher
- Division of Training and Movement Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; and
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Telford RM, Olive LS, Telford RD. A peer coach intervention in childcare centres enhances early childhood physical activity: The Active Early Learning (AEL) cluster randomised controlled trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2021; 18:37. [PMID: 33726777 PMCID: PMC7962250 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-021-01101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As numbers of children and time spent in childcare centres increase, so does the potential influence of these centres on early childhood physical activity (PA). However, previous reports indicate little success of interventions aimed at improving PA. The Active Early Learning (AEL) program is a multi-component pragmatic intervention designed to imbed PA into the daily curriculum. Delivered by childcare centre staff, it is directed and supported by a peer coach who works across a network of centres. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of the AEL program on children’s PA. Methods Fifteen childcare centres (8 intervention, 7 control centres; 314 children, 180 boys, 4.3y ± 0.4) participated in a 22-week stratified cluster randomised controlled trial. To be eligible to participate, centres needed to have ≥15 preschool children aged 3 to 5-years. The primary outcome was PA measured by accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X) during childcare centre hours over a 3-day period, calculated in min/h of Total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The effect of the intervention was evaluated using linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, accelerometer wear time and centre clustering. Results There was an intervention effect for Total PA (+ 4.06 min/h, 95% CI [2.66 to 5.47], p < .001) and MVPA (+ 2.33 min/h, 95% CI [1.31 to 3.34] p < .001). On average, a child taking part in the intervention attending a childcare centre from 8 am to 3 pm performed 28 min more Total PA and 16 min more MVPA per day than children receiving usual practice care. Conclusion In contrast with the findings of previous pragmatic trials in early childcare centres, this study shows that a peer-coach facilitated program, focussed on integrating PA into the daily childcare routine, can elicit increases in preschool children’s PA of practical as well as statistical significance. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry: ACTRN12619000638134. Registered 30/04/2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Telford
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - L S Olive
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - R D Telford
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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Ray C, Figueiredo R, Pajulahti R, Vepsäläinen H, Lehto E, Lehto R, Erkkola M, Roos E. Effects of the Preschool-Based Family-Involving DAGIS Intervention on Family Environment: A Cluster Randomised Trial. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12113387. [PMID: 33158101 PMCID: PMC7694211 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Interventions promoting young children’s healthy energy balance-related behaviours (EBRBs) should also examine changes in the family environment as this is an important determinant that may affect the effectiveness of the intervention. This study examines family environmental effects of the Increased Health and Wellbeing in Preschools (DAGIS) intervention study, and whether these effects differed when considering three parental educational level (PEL) groups. The DAGIS intervention was conducted in preschools and involving parents in Southern Finland from September 2017 to May 2018. It was designed as a randomised trial, clustered at preschool-level. Parents of 3–6-year-olds answered questionnaires recording PEL, parental role modelling for EBRBs, and the family environment measured as EBRBs availability and accessibility. Linear Mixed Models with Repeated Measures were used in order to detect intervention effects. Models included group by time interactions. When examining intervention effects separated by PEL groups, models with three-level interactions (group × time-points × PEL) were evaluated. There was an interaction effect for the availability of sugary everyday foods and drinks (p = 0.002). The analyses showed that the control group increased availability (p = 0.003), whereas in the intervention group no changes were detected (p = 0.150). In the analysis separated by PEL groups, changes were found only for the accessibility of sugary treats at home; the high PEL control group increased the accessibility of sugary treats (p = 0.022) (interaction effect: p = 0.027). Hence, results suggest that the DAGIS multicomponent intervention had a limited impact on determinants for children’s healthy EBRBs, and no impact was found in the low PEL group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Ray
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (R.F.); (R.P.); (E.L.); (R.L.); (E.R.)
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rejane Figueiredo
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (R.F.); (R.P.); (E.L.); (R.L.); (E.R.)
- Clinicum, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Pajulahti
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (R.F.); (R.P.); (E.L.); (R.L.); (E.R.)
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
| | - Henna Vepsäläinen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
| | - Elviira Lehto
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (R.F.); (R.P.); (E.L.); (R.L.); (E.R.)
- Department of Teacher Education, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Reetta Lehto
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (R.F.); (R.P.); (E.L.); (R.L.); (E.R.)
- Department of Teacher Education, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maijaliisa Erkkola
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
| | - Eva Roos
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (R.F.); (R.P.); (E.L.); (R.L.); (E.R.)
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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