Objective. Children’s lifestyles, behaviors, and educational activities were affected by COVID-19. The preschool children struggled with the challenge of learning at home and avoiding a rapid decrease in physical activity (PA). This study tested the effectiveness of a family-based intervention that integrated the family and preschool based on a smartphone app to improve the moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and physical fitness of preschool children during COVID-19. Methods. This 8-week study was conducted using a quasiexperimental pre- and posttest design with a comparison group. A total of 66 pairs of preschool children (30 boys) and their parents and 44 preschool children (24 boys) and their parents composed the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG), respectively. PA was measured using a GENEActiv waveform triaxial accelerometer. Children’s physical fitness was assessed using a battery test from the Chinese National Measurement Standards on People’s Physical Fitness for preschool children. Results. Preschool children and their parents in the EG participated in less sedentary ( p < 0.01 ) and more light PA ( p < 0.01 ) and MVPA ( p < 0.01 ) compared with those in the CG at the late PA assessment. The EG significantly improved the mean performance of tennis ball throw ( p < 0.05 ), balance beam walk ( p < 0.01 ), and continuous jumping on both feet ( p < 0.01 ) compared to the CG. Conclusions. The family parent-child PA intervention based on a smartphone app can effectively increase the MVPA of preschool children and their parents, reduce sedentary time, and improve preschool children’s physical fitness. Overall, the family parent-child PA intervention model based on a smartphone app for preschool children designed in this study is feasible and effective.

ObjectiveThe main purpose of this study was to explore the association between early fundamental motor skills (FMS) and executive function (EF) in preschool children.MethodsA total of 394 young children (4.07 ± 0.76 years) were evaluated. The FMS and EF were evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) and the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NTCB), respectively.ResultsTotal FMS score was moderately and positively correlated with total EF score (r = 0.33, p &lt; 0.001) and was a significant predictor of total EF score (β = 0.37, p &lt; 0.001). Specifically, locomotor skills were significant predictors of inhibition control (β = 0.21, p &lt; 0.001), working memory (β = 0.18, p &lt; 0.01), and cognitive flexibility (β = 0.24, p &lt; 0.001), while object control skills were only significant predictors of inhibition control (β = 0.17, p &lt; 0.01).ConclusionFMS were significantly and positively correlated with EF and were significant predictors of EF. Early childhood policymakers, preschool teachers, and researchers should take these connections seriously and implement appropriate complex motor intervention programs in future teaching to stimulate the development of both motor and higher-order cognitive skills in preschool children.

Purpose. This research was to see how effective and feasible school-based comprehensive strength training programs are in improving muscular fitness and perceived physical competence in Chinese male adolescents. Methods. A total of 123 participants ( 13.46 ± 0.60 years) were randomized to comprehensive strength training intervention group (CST) ( n = 62 ) and the control group (CON) ( n = 61 ). The training sessions were performed three times a week for ten weeks in CST. Muscular fitness (i.e., muscular strength, power, and muscular endurance) and perceived physical competence were assessed at initial testing and final testing. Results.The subjects in the CST significantly improved their mean performance in standing long jump ( p < 0.05 ), vertical jump ( p < 0.05 ), 1 min push-ups ( p < 0.05 ), 1 min sit-ups ( p < 0.05 ), handgrip strength ( p < 0.05 ), and perceived physical competence ( p < 0.05 ) after the intervention. Moreover, the CST were greater in standing long jump ( p < 0.05 ), vertical jump ( p < 0.05 ), 1 min sit-ups ( p < 0.05 ), handgrip strength ( p < 0.05 ), and perceived physical competence ( p < 0.05 ) compared to the CON, but no in 1 min push-ups ( p > 0.05 ). Conclusions. The comprehensive strength training interventions designed in this study can significantly increase male adolescents’ muscular fitness, especially in the lower extremity muscle power and abdominal core endurance, and can enhance their perceived physical competence.

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Objectives: High-intensity interval training improves aerobic endurance, but the effectiveness of different training protocols is unclear. This study compared the effects of running-based high-intensity interval training (R-HIIT) and body weight-based high-intensity interval training (B-HIIT) on physical fitness in adolescents.Methods: This was a pre-and post-test quasi-experimental design in which a seventh-grade natural class was randomly selected from three homogeneous middle schools, and then the three natural classes were randomly divided into three groups: the R-HIIT group (n = 54), the B-HIIT group (n = 55), and the control group (Con, n = 57). Both intervention groups exercised twice a week for 12 weeks with a 2:1 (1 min:30 s) load-interval ratio and exercise intensity controlled at 70%–85% maximum heart rate. R-HIIT was in the form of running, and B-HIIT was in the form of resistance exercises using the participants’ body weight. The control group was instructed to continue their normal behavior. cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and endurance, and speed were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical differences between and within groups were determined using repeated measures analysis of variance.Results: Compared to the baseline, both the R-HIIT and B-HIIT intervention groups significantly improved CRF, muscle strength, and speed (p &lt; 0.05). The B-HIIT group was significantly better than R-HIIT in improving CRF (4.48 mL/kg/min vs 3.34 mL/kg/min, p &lt; 0.05), and only the B-HIIT improved sit-up muscle endurance (ηp2 = 0.30, p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: The B-HIIT protocol was significantly more effective than the R-HIIT protocol in developing CRF and improving muscle health indicators.