A Ball Skills Intervention in Preschoolers: The CHAMP Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Fundamental motor skills (FMS) contribute to positive health trajectories. High levels of competence in ball skills (a subset of FMS) is a predictor for time spent in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity during adolescence. This study examined the effects of a ball skills intervention on ball skill competence among preschool-aged boys and girls. Methods: Two-armed randomized controlled trial. 124 preschoolers (Mage = 48.14 +/- 6.62 months) were randomly assigned to one of two groups, the Children's Health Activity Motor Program, CHAMP (n = 81) or control (n = 43). FMS were measured pre-, post- (9 weeks), and at retention (18 weeks) using the object control subscale of the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd Edition. Changes in ball skills scores were calculated (pre - post, pre - retention test, post - retention test) and were compared using one-way ANOVA with posthoc Scheffe analysis. Results: Findings support that groups demonstrated significantly different rates of change from pre to post (F(3,117)=179.45, p<.001 pre to retention p and post compared their control group peers champ boys girls had greater positive rates of change from as well negative retention. conclusions: was effective in improving maintaining ball skills preschool-age girls. findings support that providing a high-quality motor skill program early childhood settings could potentially be sustainable public health approach promoting fms physical developmental trajectories for health. american college sports medicine>

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2sIeKqL
via IFTTT