Pragmatic evaluation of the Go2Play Active Play intervention on physical activity and fundamental movement skills in children

Johnstone, A. , Hughes, A. R., Janssen, X. and Reilly, J. J. (2017) Pragmatic evaluation of the Go2Play Active Play intervention on physical activity and fundamental movement skills in children. Preventive Medicine Reports, 7, pp. 58-63. (doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.05.002) (PMID:28593124) (PMCID:PMC5454126)

Abstract

Active play is a novel approach to addressing low physical activity levels and fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children. This study aimed to determine if a new school-based, ‘Go2Play Active Play’ intervention improved school day physical activity and FMS. This was a pragmatic evaluation conducted in Scotland during 2015–16. Participants (n = 172; mean age = 7 years) were recruited from seven primary schools taking part in the 5-month intervention, plus 24 participants not receiving the intervention were recruited to act as a comparison group.189 participants had physical activity measured using an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer at baseline and again at follow-up 5 months later. A sub-sample of participants from the intervention (n = 102) and comparison (n = 21) groups had their FMS assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) at baseline and follow-up. Changes in school day physical activity and FMS variables were examined using repeated measures ANOVA. The main effect was ‘group’ on ‘time’ from baseline to follow-up. Results indicated there was a significant interaction for mean counts per minute and percent time in sedentary behavior, light intensity physical activity and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (all p < 0.01) for school day physical activity. There was a significant interaction for gross motor quotient (GMQ) score (p = 0.02) and percentile (p = 0.04), locomotor skills score and percentile (both p = 0.02), but no significant interaction for object control skills score (p = 0.1) and percentile (p = 0.3). The Go2Play Active Play intervention may be a promising way of improving physical activity and FMS but this needs to be confirmed in an RCT.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by Inspiring Scotland; 502 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3AF (www.inspiringscotland.org.uk).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Johnstone, Dr Avril
• Authors: Johnstone, A., Hughes, A. R., Janssen, X., and Reilly, J. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Preventive Medicine Reports
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0091-7435
• ISSN (Online): 1096-0260
• Published Online: 22 May 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Crown Copyright
• First Published: First published in Preventive Medicine Reports 7: 58-63
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License