Feasibility and Fidelity of a Gross Motor-based Physical Activity Intervention on Cognitive Variables in Preschool-age Children From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds.
Feasibility and Fidelity of a Gross Motor-based Physical Activity Intervention on Cognitive Variables in Preschool-age Children From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds.
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.
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:
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: