Effects of an Outdoor Play-Based Intervention on Preschoolers’ Fundamental Movement Skill Competence: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Research Findings: Outdoor physical play is essential for developing preschoolers’ fundamental movement skills (FMS). This study examined the effectiveness of OUT to IN, a play-based intervention designed to enhance FMS in young children. A cluster randomized trial was conducted with 101 preschoolers (Mage = 5.06 years, 56 boys) randomly allocated into two groups: the OUT to IN Group (n = 67), and the Wait List Group (n = 34). While the Wait List Group maintained usual, mostly indoor routines, the OUT to IN Group engaged in biweekly outdoor physical play sessions for 10 weeks,s facilitated by a psychomotor therapist and preschool teachers. Teachers also attended a brief course on the importance of play and in biweekly relaxation sessions. FMS were assessed through the Test of Gross Motor Development-2. Intergroup and intragroup comparison analyses revealed that after de 10-week intervention period, children in the OUT to IN Group demonstrated significant improvements in FMS, whereas those in the Wait List Group, maintained the below-average performance of the baseline. Practice or Policy: These findings demonstrated the value of physical play to promote FMS in early childhood education. Furthermore, empowering teachers to integrate and maximize the benefits of outdoor physical play is essential for promoting children’s physical literacy, health and development.