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Does the Animal Fun program improve motor performance in children aged 4–6 years?

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Authors
Piek, Jan Patricia
McLaren, Sue
Kane, Robert
Jensen, Lynn
Dender, Alma
Roberts, Clare
Rooney, Rosanna
Packer, Tanya
Straker, Leon
Date
2013
Type
Journal Article

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Piek, J.P. and McLaren, S. and Kane, R. and Jensen, L. and Dender, A. and Roberts, C. and Rooney, R. and Packer, T. and Straker, L. 2013. Does the Animal Fun program improve motor performance in children aged 4-6 years? Human Movement Science. 32 (5): pp. 1086-1096.
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Human Movement Science
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NOTICE: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Human Movement Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Human Movement Science, Volume 32, Issue 5, 2013, Pages 1086–1096. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2012.08.004

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Abstract

The Animal Fun program was designed to enhance the motor ability of young children by imitating the movements of animals in a fun, inclusive setting. The efficacy of this program was investigated through a randomized controlled trial using a multivariate nested cohort design. Pre-intervention scores were recorded for 511 children aged 4.83 years to 6.17 years (M =5.42 years, SD = 3.58 months). Six control and six intervention schools were compared 6 months later following the intervention, and then again at 18 months after the initial testing when the children were in their first school year. Changes in motor performance were examined using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency short form. Data were analyzed using multi-level-mixed effects linear regression. A significant Condition Time interaction was found, F(2,1219) = 3.35, p = .035, demonstrating that only the intervention group showed an improvement in motor ability. A significant Sex Time interaction was also found, (2,1219) = 3.84, p = .022, with boys improving over time, but not girls. These findings have important implications for the efficacy of early intervention of motor skills and understanding the differences in motor performance between boys and girls.