Effect of staff professional development on preschooler`s fundamental motor skills and physical fitness

Background: Fundamental motor skills (FMS) and physical fitness (FIT) play important roles in child development and provide a foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity (PA). However, since many children have suboptimal levels of PA, FMS, and FIT, efficient strategies to improve these measures, are needed. The ACTNOW study investigated the effects of an 18-month staff-led PA intervention on FMS and FIT in 3–5-year-olds. Methods: Preschoolers (n=819) aged 3–4 (3.8 yr, 54% boys) from 46 preschools in Western Norway were cluster-randomized by preschool into an intervention (n=23 preschools [381 children, 3.8 yrs., 55% boys]) or a control group (n=23 [438, 3.7 yrs., 52%]). Intervention preschools participated in an 18-month PA intervention involving a 7-month professional development of staff between 2019-2022. PA was measured with accelerometers. FMS were evaluated through nine items covering locomotor, object control, and balance skills. FIT was assessed through 4×10 shuttle-run, handgrip strength and standing long jump. Testing was conducted at baseline, 7-, and 18-month follow-up. Effects were analysed using a repeated measures linear mixed model with child and preschool as random effects and with adjustment for baseline differences. Results: Findings showed positive, significant effects for object control skills at 7-months (standardized effect size (ES)=0.17) and locomotor skills at 18-months (ES=0.21). A negative effect was found for handgrip (ES=-0.16) at 7-months. During preschool hours, SED decreased (ES=-0.18) and LPA (ES=0.14) and MVPA (ES=0.16) increased at 7-months, whereas LPA decreased at 18-months (ES=-0.15). Conclusions: The ACTNOW-intervention improved some FMS outcomes and improved SED, LPA, and MVPA short-term. Further research is needed to investigate how to improve effectiveness of staff-led PA interventions and achieve sustainable improvements in children’s PA, FMS, and FIT. Funding: Supported by The Research Council of Norway (grant.nr 287903); County Governor of Sogn og Fjordane; Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane Foundation; Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.