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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Study protocol

Increasing physical activity among young children from disadvantaged communities: study protocol of a group randomised controlled effectiveness trial

Authors: Rebecca M. Stanley, Rachel A. Jones, Dylan P. Cliff, Stewart G. Trost, Donna Berthelsen, Jo Salmon, Marijka Batterham, Simon Eckermann, John J. Reilly, Ngiare Brown, Karen J. Mickle, Steven J. Howard, Trina Hinkley, Xanne Janssen, Paul Chandler, Penny Cross, Fay Gowers, Anthony D. Okely

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Participation in regular physical activity (PA) during the early years helps children achieve healthy body weight and can substantially improve motor development, bone health, psychosocial health and cognitive development. Despite common assumptions that young children are naturally active, evidence shows that they are insufficiently active for health and developmental benefits. Exploring strategies to increase physical activity in young children is a public health and research priority.

Methods

Jump Start is a multi-component, multi-setting PA and gross motor skill intervention for young children aged 3–5 years in disadvantaged areas of New South Wales, Australia. The intervention will be evaluated using a two-arm, parallel group, randomised cluster trial. The Jump Start protocol was based on Social Cognitive Theory and includes five components: a structured gross motor skill lesson (Jump In); unstructured outdoor PA and gross motor skill time (Jump Out); energy breaks (Jump Up); activities connecting movement to learning experiences (Jump Through); and a home-based family component to promote PA and gross motor skill (Jump Home). Early childhood education and care centres will be demographically matched and randomised to Jump Start (intervention) or usual practice (comparison) group. The intervention group receive Jump Start professional development, program resources, monthly newsletters and ongoing intervention support. Outcomes include change in total PA (accelerometers) within centre hours, gross motor skill development (Test of Gross Motor Development-2), weight status (body mass index), bone strength (Sunlight MiniOmni Ultrasound Bone Sonometer), self-regulation (Heads-Toes-Knees-Shoulders, executive function tasks, and proxy-report Temperament and Approaches to learning scales), and educator and parent self-efficacy. Extensive quantitative and qualitative process evaluation and a cost-effectiveness evaluation will be conducted.

Discussion

The Jump Start intervention is a unique program to address low levels of PA and gross motor skill proficiency, and support healthy lifestyle behaviours among young children in disadvantaged communities. If shown to be efficacious, the Jump Start approach can be expected to have implications for early childhood education and care policies and practices, and ultimately a positive effect on the health and development across the life course.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12614000597​695, first received: June 5, 2014.
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Metadata
Title
Increasing physical activity among young children from disadvantaged communities: study protocol of a group randomised controlled effectiveness trial
Authors
Rebecca M. Stanley
Rachel A. Jones
Dylan P. Cliff
Stewart G. Trost
Donna Berthelsen
Jo Salmon
Marijka Batterham
Simon Eckermann
John J. Reilly
Ngiare Brown
Karen J. Mickle
Steven J. Howard
Trina Hinkley
Xanne Janssen
Paul Chandler
Penny Cross
Fay Gowers
Anthony D. Okely
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3743-0

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