Feasibility and Fidelity of a Gross Motor-based Physical Activity Intervention on Cognition in Preschool-age Children

N/AActive Not RecruitingNCT05949866

University of Massachusetts, Amherst112 enrolled

Overview

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.

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 cognition in low low socio-economic (SES) preschoolers. Low SES preschool centers (n=4) will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a Movement and Cognition (MAC) or a control group. From each preschool center, preschool-age children will be recruited to participate in their assigned center intervention. The MAC intervention will be implemented for 4 days per week for 6 months. The research team will train the preschool providers to implement the intervention. The control centers will be asked to maintain their usual preschool schedule. Primary outcome variables will be processed evaluation data \[study fidelity (adherence, compliance, and integrity of study design), intervention dosage, acceptability, quality, adaptation\], and will be assessed throughout the 6-month study. 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. Aim 1 will examine the implementation of a 6-month teacher taught gross motor skill-based movement intervention in low SES preschoolers. Aim 2 will examine the preliminary efficacy of the MAC intervention on cognition, gross motor skills, and PA in preschoolers. For aim 2, the study will compare the outcome variables of interest between the MAC and the control group.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

Interventions

Movement and Cognition Intervention GroupBEHAVIORAL

Preschool centers assigned to the Movement and Cognition (MAC) group will receive the 6-month intervention, which will be implemented 4 days per week. To ensure consistency of intervention delivery, centers will be provided with the MAC modules on a bi-weekly basis. The MAC intervention will be implemented using a train-the-trainer (gradual release) model. This will be a gradual release model, in which interventionist will first serve as a co-provider and will eventually serve in a support role, as providers become primary implementers. The MAC intervention will consist of gross motor skill curriculum consists of 30 individual lesson plans. The number of days needed to instruct each lesson plan activities ranges between 3 to 5 days. In each lesson, specific instruction and activities are designed to teach fundamental movements (e.g., running, leaping, kicking, jumping, throwing, catching).

Health Tracker Group (Control Group)BEHAVIORAL

Preschool centers assigned to the health tracker g group will be asked to maintain their usual daily schedule and to not participate in other physical activity programs during the 6-month intervention.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 3 YearsMax age: 5 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

All children within a childcare center will participate in center's assigned activities. However, children will be individually recruited to participate in the measurement portion of study. Childcare center will be eligible for study if: * They have at least 40 (preschool-age) children enrolled * Have at least 2 full-day preschool classrooms * Not concurrently participating in other physical activity or gross motor skills programs Child will be eligible for measurement portion of the study and the parent component if she or he is \- 3 - 5 years old at baseline assessment Children will be excluded from the measurement portion of the study if they: * Have conditions limiting participation in gross motor skills or physical activity intervention or the assessment of physical activity * Plan to move away from the Springfield, MA area within the next 6 months.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Implementation - Study fidelity

Process evaluation data, specifically the study fidelity of the intervention, will be assessed. On 2 randomly selected days per week within the treatment preschool center classrooms, research staff members will directly observe the intervention and use a semi-structured questionnaire (created by research PI) to collect information on intervention study fidelity (are the intervention activities being implemented as designed). In addition, 1 day per week, research staff members will directly observe the control center and use a semi-structured questionnaire to assessment of control (CON) school activities.