This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12-week structured fundamental movement skills (FMS) training program on executive functions in 34 healthy preschoolers aged 5-6 years. Participants were randomly assigned to an FMS training group (n = 17) or a regular physical activity control group (n = 17). The FMS group participated in two 35-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks, while the control group engaged in free play. Executive functions were assessed using the Go/No-Go, Mr. Ant, and Card Sorting tasks from the Early Years Toolbox at baseline and after the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
34
Structured FMS training program including locomotor, object control, and stability skills, 2 sessions per week, 35 minutes per session for 12 weeks.
Regular physical activities including free play and simple exercises (e.g., rope jumping, ball bouncing, musical chairs), 2 sessions per week, 35 minutes per session.
Yumiao Kindergarten
Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Working Memory - Mr. Ant Task
Children were required to remember the locations of colored stickers on a cartoon ant ("Mr. Ant") and reposition them after the stickers disappeared. The task consisted of 8 levels with progressively increasing difficulty. The score was the number of levels correctly completed (range: 0-8).
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Inhibitory Control - Go/No-Go Task
Children were instructed to tap the screen when a clownfish appeared (Go trials) and to refrain from tapping when a shark appeared (No-Go trials). The task comprised 75 trials (60 Go, 15 No-Go). The score was calculated as the product of accuracy rates on Go and No-Go trials.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Cognitive Flexibility - Card Sorting Task
Children were required to sort patterns (boats or rabbits) according to color or shape rules. The task comprised three phases: color sorting, shape sorting, and mixed sorting, with 6 trials per phase, totaling 18 trials. The score was the total number of correct sorts (range: 0-18).
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
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