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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01588392

Short bouTs of Exercise for Preschool-age Children

The purpose of this study is to examine if short bouts of structured physical activity implemented within the classroom setting as part of designated gross-motor playtime will increase preschool-age children during-school physical activity level.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Activity Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

3 year–5 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Preschool centers in Springfield, MA

Springfield, Massachusetts, 01103, United States

About this study

Most preschool centers provide two 30-minute sessions of gross-motor/outdoor playtime per preschool day. Within this time frame, children accumulate most of their activity within the first 10 minutes. This study is a cluster randomized controlled study designed to examine the effects of short bouts of structured physical activity implemented within the classroom setting as part of designated gross-motor playtime on during-school physical activity in preschoolers. Results from this intervention could provide evidence that a physical activity policy that exposes preschoolers to shorter bouts of structured physical activity throughout the preschool day could potentially increase preschooler's physical activity levels.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Attend one of 10 participating preschool centers
  • Attend preschool full-time
  • Children between 2.9 - 5 years of age on the date of baseline assessment

Exclusion criteria

  • Did not have a condition limiting their participation in routine gross-motor playtime at preschool
  • Unable to wear the activity monitor

Treatment and study plan

Short bouts of structured physical activity

Behavioral

Short bouts of structured physical activity preschools will be asked to implement age-appropriate 10 minute structured physical activity routines within the classroom setting followed by 20 minutes of usual unstructured playtime activities. Intervention will be implemented for a total of 30 minutes during both morning and afternoon gross motor playtime 5 days/week for 6 months.

Other names: Instant Recess for preschoolers

Unstructured physical activity

Behavioral

Unstructured physical activity intervention will consist of 30 minutes of supervised unstructured free playtime twice. intervention will be delivered during both morning and afternoon gross motor playtime for 5 days/week for 6 months.

Other names: Free playtime

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in Physical activity levels at 6-month

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month and 6-month after study initiation

    Physical activity levels will be assessed with accelerometer and direct observation system

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Short Bouts of Physical Activity in Low-income Preschool-age Children

Acronym: STEP

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
May 1, 2012
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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