Increasing physical activity in preschool: a pilot study to evaluate animal trackers.
OBJECTIVE
This report describes a pilot study to evaluate Animal Trackers (AT), a preschool program designed to (1) increase structured physical activity (PA) during the preschool day; (2) increase practice of gross motor skills; (3) provide teachers with an easy-to-use PA program regardless of teacher experience; and (4) implement a teacher walking intervention.


METHODS
Pilot observational study in volunteer preschools.


METHODS
Nine preschools in New Mexico.


METHODS
Two-hundred seventy 3- to 5-year-old children and 32 teachers.


METHODS
Daily 10-minute classroom activities for children.


METHODS
Implementation and duration of AT activities, teacher preparation time, and added weekly time spent in structured PA.


METHODS
Process evaluation to track program implementation, and pre-post measures to assess outcomes.


RESULTS
AT activities were implemented 4.1 times per week (11.4 minutes/activity), with 7 minutes teacher preparation time. Overall, AT added 47 minutes of structured PA per week for children.


CONCLUSIONS
The AT program increased structured PA time in preschools. Teachers felt that AT was developmentally appropriate; that children enjoyed the activities; and that the children's motor skills improved. Results of the pilot study are encouraging, since research suggests that even small increases in PA could help prevent obesity.
Williams
Christine L
CL
Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA. chrisw320@aol.com
Carter
Betty Jean
BJ
Kibbe
Debra L
DL
Dennison
David
D
D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003479:Curriculum; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009516:New Mexico; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011203:Poverty; D012578:Schools, Nursery