Effects of Locomotor Skill Program on Minority Preschoolers’ Physical Activity Levels

in Pediatric Exercise Science

Click name to view affiliation

Sofiya Alhassan University of Massachusetts Amherst

Search for other papers by Sofiya Alhassan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Ogechi Nwaokelemeh University of Massachusetts Amherst

Search for other papers by Ogechi Nwaokelemeh in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Manneh Ghazarian University of Massachusetts Amherst

Search for other papers by Manneh Ghazarian in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Jasmin Roberts University of Massachusetts Amherst

Search for other papers by Jasmin Roberts in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Albert Mendoza University of Massachusetts Amherst

Search for other papers by Albert Mendoza in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Sanyog Shitole University of Massachusetts Amherst

Search for other papers by Sanyog Shitole in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

This pilot study examined the effects of a teacher-taught, locomotor skill (LMS)- based physical activity (PA) program on the LMS and PA levels of minority preschooler-aged children. Eight low-socioeconomic status preschool classrooms were randomized into LMS-PA (LMS-oriented lesson plans) or control group (supervised free playtime). Interventions were delivered for 30 min/day, five days/week for six months. Changes in PA (accelerometer) and LMS variables were assessed with MANCOVA. LMS-PA group exhibited a significant reduction in during-preschool (F (1,16) = 6.34, p = .02, d = 0.02) and total daily (F (1,16) = 9.78, p = .01, d = 0.30) percent time spent in sedentary activity. LMS-PA group also exhibited significant improvement in leaping skills, F (1, 51) = 7.18, p = .01, d = 0.80). No other, significant changes were observed. The implementation of a teacher-taught, LMS-based PA program could potentially improve LMS and reduce sedentary time of minority preschoolers.

Alhassan, Nwaokelemeh, Ghazarian, Roberts, Mendoza, and Shitole are with the Dept. of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

  • Collapse
  • Expand