Motor abilities in early childhood and the effectiveness of a multi-component, kindergarten-based intervention

Birnbaum, Julia (2019): Motor abilities in early childhood and the effectiveness of a multi-component, kindergarten-based intervention: the ToyBox-study. Dissertation, LMU München: Medizinische Fakultät

Abstract

Background: Well-developed motor abilities in early childhood form the basis for an active life and contribute to the prevention of health disease. Kindergarten settings offer ideal conditions to support the motor development process of each individual child. The aim of the present thesis is to investigate the effects of a one-year, kindergarten-based intervention program on motor abilities in children three to six years old, to assess the influence of anthropometric, social and behavioural factors on these effects and further to define key strategies and components of effective teacher training sessions. Methods: A multi-component, kindergarten based and family involved intervention, the ToyBox-study, was elaborated, applied and evaluated in six countries of the European Unit. Following the cluster-randomized study design with pre and post measurements, anthropometric data (height, weight) and motor performance tests (Jumping from Side to Side (JSS), Standing long jump (SLJ)) of the children were measured in 58 German kindergartens. Pre and post data from a total of 1293 children were incorporated in the analyses of intervention effects. Results: The intervention of the ToyBox-study is an effective program to improve motor abilities of children aged 3 to 6. The children taking part in the intervention revealed a higher increase in JSS and there was a trend for them to improve better in SLJ. Teachers´ training sessions provide information for practical implementation and integrate components enhancing self-efficacy. Conclusion: The results underline the essentialness of well-designed and applied programs to promote motor abilities in kindergarten. The findings can help to create effective promotion strategies with the aim to give each child the best opportunity to development a high motor potential and thus the prerequisite for a healthy long life.

• Dokumententyp: Dissertationen (Dissertation, LMU München)
• Keywords: intervention, kindergarten, motor performance ability
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften ; 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• Fakultäten: Medizinische Fakultät
• Sprache der Hochschulschrift: Englisch
• Datum der mündlichen Prüfung: 4. November 2019
• 1. Bericht­erstatter:in: Koletzko, Berthold