Effect of Active Play on Fundamental Movement Skills in Preschool Children: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Oral

Abstract Overview

Background: Active Play (AP), as a natural and cost-effective activity method that emphasizes the enjoyment of physical activity, has garnered attention. Nevertheless, controversy still surrounds the effects of AP on FMS (Fundamental Movement Skills).
Purpose:This study aims to investigate the effects of Structured Active play (SAP) and Unstructured Active play (UAP) on FMS and how they compare with the effects of physical education curriculum (PEC).
Methods: Searches in four databases (MEDLINE, ERIC, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) from January 2004 to March 2024. Trials encompassing typically developing children aged 2–6 years, where in AP programs lasting a minimum of 4 weeks. Standardized data extraction forms were utilized. Effects on overall FMS, balance, object control (OC) and locomotor skills (LM) were calculated using weighted SMD between within random-effects models.
Results:Twenty-one studies involving 2201 preschool children were included, three studies compared UAP with SAP, nineteen studies compared UAP and/or SAP with PEC, three studies compared UAP and/or SAP with other comparison, and one study was an AP single-arm trial. A meta-analysis was conducted on fifteen studies, a significant pooled effect of these types of UAP comparing with PEC on overall FMS was found (SMD=-1.0172, 95 %-CI -1.6748 to -0.3595, P=0.0073), a significant pooled effect of these types of UAP comparing with PEC on LM was found (SMD=-1.6956, 95 %-CI -3.3511 to -0.0401, P=0.0471). No significant effect of other AP programs on overall FMS, balance, LM, OC was observed (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: UAP may not be the most effective method for improving FMS in preschooler children. SAP, as a relaxed and free form of physical activity, shows potential in contributing to the enhancement of FMS in preschoolers.
Practical implications: Further school or community intervention on FMS for preschool children, SAP can be served as a cost-effective method.

Additional Authors

Name: Jingjing Jia
Affiliation: Shanghai University of Sport
Presenting Author: no
Name: Yinping Yan
Affiliation: Shanghai University of Sport
Presenting Author: no
Name: Yang Liu
Affiliation: Shanghai University of Sport
Presenting Author: no

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Information

Study Type: Other
Subtheme: Other (please specify)
Subtheme other Title: review
Population Group: Early Childhood, Children
Setting: School, Community, Healthcare

Submitting Author

BEI L
STUDENT
SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY OF SPORT
China

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