The effects of a 4-week after-school program on motor skills and fitness of kindergarten and first-grade students.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of an after-school NutriActive program on anthropometric measurements, motor skills, and fitness levels of young children.


METHODS
In this quasi-experimental study, anthropometric, motor skill, and fitness measurements were compared between intervention and control students at baseline, following a 4-week intervention, and after a summer break (4 months).


METHODS
Two intervention and two control microurban elementary schools.


METHODS
Forty-two intervention and 28 control kindergarten and first-grade students (50% boys, 82% Caucasian).


METHODS
A 4-week program consisted daily ofa morning walk and an after-school physical activity lesson with an emphasis on motor skill development, nutrition/health lesson, snack, and nonstructured active play.


METHODS
Body mass index, waist circumference, and fitness and motor skill levels.


METHODS
Repeated-measures analysis of variance, t-test, and stepwise regression.


RESULTS
The intervention group scored significantly better on some fitness and all motor skill tests at 4 weeks. The improvements in fitness and skill levels ranged from 30% to 270%. At 4 months, differences between the groups diminished but remained significant, with better scores for the intervention group on some tests. Skill levels emerged as predictors of cardiovascular fitness at 4 months. Anthropometric measurements did not differ between the groups at any time point.


CONCLUSIONS
A short, intense after-school program can produce significant, sustainable improvements in motor skill and fitness levels of young children.
Matvienko
Oksana
O
School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services, University of Northern Iowa, 203 Wellness/Recreation Center, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0241, USA. oksana.matvienko@uni.edu
Ahrabi-Fard
Iradge
I
D001699:Biometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012106:Research; D013334:Students; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking