Effects of integrated functional training on fundamental movement skills in children aged 4 to 5 years: A 14-week randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Objectives: Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are foundational for lifelong physical activity and health, yet scalable, evidence-based programs remain limited. This study examined the effects of a 14-week integrated functional training (IFT) program on FMS among children aged 4-5 years.

Design: Single-center, kindergarten-based, parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Sixty preschoolers (Mage = 4.93 ± 0.52; 28 girls) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to IFT (n = 30; 3 × 45 min/week) or school's usual physical education (n = 30; 2 × 30min/week). The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) was used to assess FMS, including TGMD-2 total score, locomotor, and object-control sub-scores.

Results: After 14 weeks, the IFT group improved TGMD-2 total score from 61.9 ± 6.6 to 80.3 ± 4.7, whereas the comparison group changed from 67.2 ± 6.2 to 65.6 ± 4.2. After adjustment for baseline scores, the IFT group had significantly higher post-test TGMD-2 total score than the comparison group (adjusted mean difference = 16.8; 95% CI: 14.8 to 18.8; p < 0.001). Significant baseline-adjusted group effects were also observed for locomotor scores (adjusted mean difference = 6.05; 95% CI: 3.83 to 8.27; p < .001) and object-control scores (adjusted mean difference = 11.25; 95% CI: 10.08 to 12.42; p < .001).

Conclusions: A 14-week IFT program delivered 3 × 45 min/week in a kindergarten setting was associated with greater improvements in locomotor and object-control skills among preschool children than the comparison condition delivered 2 × 30 min/week. Further studies using dose-matched designs, larger samples, and longer follow-up are needed.