title: Effects of a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention on motor performance ability in 3- to 6-year-old children: the ToyBox-study.
abstract: This study targeted to examine the effect of the ToyBox-intervention, a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention, aiming to improve preschooler's energy-related behaviours (e.g., physical activity) on motor performance ability. Physical activity sessions, classroom activities, environmental changes and tools for parents were the components of the 1-year intervention. The intervention and control were cluster-randomised, and children's anthropometry and two motor test items (jumping from side to side, JSS and standing long jump, SLJ) were assessed. A total of 1293 (4.6 ± 0.69 years; 52% boys) from 45 kindergartens in Germany were included (intervention, n = 863; control, n = 430). The effect was assessed using generalised estimating equation. The intervention group showed a better improvement in JSS (Estimate 2.19 jumps, P = 0.01) and tended to improve better in SLJ (Estimate 2.73 cm, P = 0.08). The intervention was more effective in boys with respect to SLJ (P of interaction effect = 0.01). Children aged <4.5 years did not show a significant benefit while older children improved (JSS, Estimate 3.38 jumps, P = 0.004; SLJ, Estimate 4.18 cm, P = 0.04). Children with low socio-economic status improved in JSS (Estimate 5.98 jumps, P = 0.0001). The ToyBox-intervention offers an effective strategy to improve specific components of motor performance ability in early childhood. Future programmes should consider additional strategies specifically targeting girls and younger aged children.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  BMI: body mass index; SES: socio-economic status; JSS: jumping from side to side; SLJ: standing long jump; SD: standard deviation; GEE: generalised estimating equation.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutritional Medicine , Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.affiliation: a Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutritional Medicine , Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geyer
authors.affiliation: a Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutritional Medicine , Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kirchberg
authors.affiliation: b Department of Nutrition and Dietetics , School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manios
authors.affiliation: a Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutritional Medicine , Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koletzko
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009068:Movement; D010290:Parents; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class
keywords: Intervention; kindergarten; motor performance ability