An Intervention to Improve Motor Skills in Young Children
Condition: Physical Activity; Fundamental Motor Skills; Development, Child; Self-regulation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The goal of "PLAY" is to adapt and test a developmentally appropriate intervention delivered
      on a mobile app to parents, with the goal of teaching fundamental motor skill (FMS)
      proficiency to their preschool-aged children (ages 3 to 5 y). Seventy-two children (3 to 5 y
      of age) were randomized. Of these children, 36 parents were randomized to use the FMS app and
      36 were randomized to use a version of the app that promotes unstructured PA as a comparator
      group. Parents in the FMS condition accessed instructional lessons, peer modeling videos, and
      activity breaks to deliver 720 minutes of targeted, structured FMS instruction time to their
      child over a 12-week period. Parents in the comparator arm used a version of the app that
      provides instructional lessons to promote the equivalent amount of unstructured PA for their
      child. Parents were asked to guide the intervention, as parental support, modeling, and
      co-participation predict children's engagement in PA.
    

Detailed description: 
      Preschoolers spend 4 hours/day in front of a screen, while fewer than one-quarter engage in
      the recommended two hours of daily physical activity (PA). The decline in PA, increase in
      screen-based behaviors, and onset of obesity during preschool years have been linked to
      lifetime risk of obesity and related comorbidities. However, emerging evidence indicates that
      "screen time" can actually be leveraged as a tool to increase children's PA and promote
      healthy weight. Specifically, PA interventions delivered over digital devices can provide
      real-time encouragement for children to be physically active. Prior interventions delivered
      over mobile devices were effective in increasing PA levels, including our own P-Mobile study
      that provided behavioral strategies to parents of children aged 6 to 10 years.

      When considering how to support and motivate parents whose children are preschool-aged,
      teaching and modeling fundamental motor skills (FMS) are critical to enable children's PA.
      FMS like running, jumping, or throwing a ball, are basic, goal-directed movement patterns
      developed in early childhood that provide a foundation for children to be physically active
      and competent movers. These skills enable a child to function independently in their
      surrounding environment, engage with peers, and contribute to their ability to be physically
      active. Evidence has shown that children must establish a minimal level of FMS proficiency to
      continue participating in PA opportunities as they age. FMS and PA behaviors have a dynamic
      and reciprocal relationship. Children with higher levels of FMS are more physically active
      both during childhood and into adolescence. Therefore, a PA intervention for preschoolers
      should focus on developing FMS competence.
    

Intervention name(s): Fundamental Motor Skills App; Unstructured Physical Activity App
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Lessons will be provided over the app each week with notifications sent 5 days/week over 12 weeks specific to randomized experimental group.; Lessons will be provided over the app each week with notifications sent 5 days/week over 12 weeks specific to randomized active comparator group.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention