title: Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for preschoolers: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on physical activity participation among preschoolers. A secondary purpose was to investigate the influence of several possible moderator variables (e.g., intervention length, location, leadership, type) on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine databases were systematically searched for physical activity interventions. Studies were included if they contained statistics necessary to compute an effect size (ES), were written in or translated into English, examined physical activity in preschoolers, incorporated a physical activity intervention, and targeted preschool-aged children. Fifteen studies satisfied these criteria. ESs were calculated using a random-effects model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that overall, interventions had a small-to-moderate effect on general physical activity (Hedges g = 0.44, p < .05, n = 73 ESs) and a moderate effect on MVPA (Hedges g = 0.51, p < .05, n = 39 ESs). The greatest effects for MVPA were identified for interventions that were less than 4 weeks in duration, were offered in an early-learning environment, were led by teachers, involved outdoor activity, and incorporated unstructured activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis provides an overview and synthesis of physical activity interventions and highlights effective strategies for future interventions aimed at increasing physical activity levels among preschoolers.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Elliott S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Shauna M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Albert V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Carron
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness