The effect of physical exercise on fundamental movement skills and physical fitness among preschool children: study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background Previous evidence has proven that physical exercise is positively related to preschoolers’ fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical fitness (PF). However, studies to assess the effectiveness of different physical exercise interventions aiming at improving FMS and PF in preschool children are still scarce. To explore and compare the effectiveness of different physical exercise on FMS and PF; ball games (BG), rhythm activities (RA), basic movements (BM) and a combination of all related activities (multiple activities, MA) interventions were conducted among preschoolers.Methods A single-blind, 5-arm, cluster-randomized trial will be conducted in kindergarten in Shanghai, China. Three hundred healthy preschoolers, aged 4 to 5 years, will be randomized to four intervention groups (BG group, RA group, BM group or MA group) and one control group (unorganized physical activities). Four intervention groups will receive three 30-minute lessons weekly for 16 weeks. At the baseline, the end of 16-week intervention, and 6-month follow-up after the end of intervention, the primary outcomes (FMS and PF) and the secondary outcome (physical activity, PA) will be assessed, as well as sociodemographic and anthropometric data.Discussion This study will provide vital information regarding the effect of different physical exercise interventions on preschool children’s FMS and PF, PA, and the potential interactions between these domains. If the results of this trial are positive, the most effective intervention strategy can be generalized to kindergarten and other preschool educational institutions in practice to promote preschooler’s development of FMS and PF.Trial registration Chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2000029333.

School-Based Aerobic Exercise Promotes Physical Fitness and Cognition in Children with Overweight

“…A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials revealed that aerobic exercise reduces the cardiovascular risk associated with children and adolescent obesity [30]. Wang et al further revealed that exercise has positive effects on the physical, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and motor tness of preschool children [31]. In addition, we found that aerobic exercise remarkably promoted cognitive function, including attention, simple reaction time, and working memory span in children with overweight.…”