Protocol for trial of structured motor PE versus ordinary PE in preschool children
Photo by Pawel Czerwinski / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Note: This is a study protocol; await trial completion for results.
This publication is a protocol for a planned cluster-randomized controlled trial. The study will enroll approximately 110 preschool children aged 4–6 years from kindergartens in Changsha, China. Children will be randomized by kindergarten cluster to receive either a structured motor-focused physical education intervention or ordinary physical education. The intervention involves 30–40 minute sessions delivered three times weekly for 16 weeks.
The primary outcome is gross motor competence, measured by the Test of Gross Motor Development–Third Edition (TGMD-3). Secondary outcomes include portable EEG measures of resting-state and task-related brain activity linked to inhibitory control and attention, as well as parent- and teacher-reported questionnaires on executive function and behavioral adjustment. The planned follow-up duration is 16 weeks.
No results are available as this is a protocol publication. Safety and tolerability data, including adverse events and discontinuations, are not reported. Key limitations inherent to a protocol include the absence of efficacy and safety outcomes. The authors note the study may inform future research on scalable approaches to support early childhood development, but no clinical conclusions can be drawn until the trial is completed and results are published.
View Original Abstract ↓
PurposeEarly childhood is a critical period for both motor and neurodevelopment, yet less is known about whether behavioral improvements following motor-focused physical education are accompanied by concurrent functional neural indicators. This protocol describes a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the effects of a semester-long motor-focused exercise program on gross motor competence and exploratory neurodevelopmental outcomes in preschool children.MethodsThis two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial will recruit approximately 110 children aged 4–6 years from kindergartens in Changsha, China. Classes will be randomized 1:1 to either an intervention group receiving structured motor-focused physical education or a control group receiving ordinary physical education. The intervention will be delivered three times weekly for 30–40 min over 16 weeks, emphasizing locomotor and object-control skills through progressive, game-based activities. The primary outcome will be gross motor competence measured by the Test of Gross Motor Development–Third Edition (TGMD-3). Secondary outcomes will include portable electroencephalography (EEG) measures of resting-state and task-related brain activity associated with inhibitory control and attentional regulation. Optional measures will include parent- and teacher-reported questionnaires of executive function and behavioral adjustment. Group-by-time effects will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models under an intention-to-treat framework.DiscussionThis trial will examine whether structured motor-focused physical education is associated with improvements in gross motor competence and concurrent functional neural indicators in preschool settings. Findings will contribute incremental evidence to the developmental literature linking motor and neurocognitive processes and may inform future research on scalable approaches to support early childhood development.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07307742 identifier NCT07307742.
Standardized formal resuscitation training likely reduces neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries compared to no training or basic training.
A Simple Training Program Is Saving Newborn Lives in Poor Countries
Related in Pediatrics
Therapeutic Touch Reduces Crying and Improves Sleep in Infants With Colic
Therapeutic touch reduces crying in babies with colic
This randomized controlled trial in 96 infants with colic found that therapeutic touch based on Watson's Human Care Theory significantly red…
A new trial shows gentle therapeutic touch helps babies cry less and sleep better when they have infantile colic.
Mycophenolate mofetil non-inferior to prednisone for first-episode nephrotic syndrome in children
Mycophenolate Mofetil Offers Alternative to Steroids for Nephrotic Syndrome
This phase 3 non-inferiority trial randomized 272 children aged 1-10 years with first-episode steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome to mycoph…
A new trial shows mycophenolate mofetil works as well as prednisone for children with nephrotic syndrome, with fewer steroid side effects.
AquOTic water competency intervention improves outcomes in children with autism
Water therapy improves skills for children with autism spectrum disorder
This pre-post cohort study of 37 children with autism ages 5 to 9 found that a 10-week occupational therapy-based water competency intervent…
A water-based occupational therapy program significantly improved performance and satisfaction scores in children with autism spectrum disor…
Play-based cognitive flexibility training boosts creativity in third graders
Playful workshops boost story skills and flexible thinking for third graders
This RCT in 249 third graders found that a 14-session play-based workshop significantly improved narrative creativity and cognitive flexibil…
A fun 14-session workshop helped third graders write better stories and think more flexibly than peers in regular classes.
From Other Specialties
SBRT plus atezolizumab shows activity in metastatic cervical cancer
Radiation plus immune therapy helps some patients with advanced cervical cancer survive longer
This prospective phase II trial evaluated SBRT followed by atezolizumab in 21 patients with metastatic, recurrent, or persistent cervical ca…
A small trial found that adding immune therapy to radiation helped some patients with advanced cervical cancer keep their disease stable for…
In-person group sessions boost fruit/vegetable intake in Latina breast cancer survivors
In-Person Sessions Boost Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Latina Breast Cancer Survivors
This randomized factorial trial in 167 Latina breast cancer survivors found that in-person group sessions increased daily fruit/vegetable in…
In-person group sessions helped Latina breast cancer survivors eat more fruits and vegetables, while the control group's intake dropped shar…
Capivasertib-paclitaxel fails to improve overall survival in metastatic TNBC
New drug combo did not extend life for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients in this trial
This phase III RCT in 812 patients with previously untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer found that adding capivasertib to pacl…
A large global trial found that adding capivasertib to paclitaxel did not improve overall survival for patients with metastatic triple-negat…
Contrast-enhanced mammography reduces costs per QALY in breast cancer screening recalls compared to conventional imaging
Contrast-enhanced mammography may cut costs for breast cancer screening
This RCT evaluated women recalled from breast cancer screening in a hospital setting. Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) as the primary too…
Using contrast-enhanced mammography as the first test for women recalled from screening could lower imaging costs without harming quality of…