Acute effects of a motor coordination intervention on executive functions in kindergartners: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Background

Executive functions are pivotal for future academic and social functioning. Causal effects of physical activity on executive functions have been shown in adults. The primary objective of this study was to test the proof-of-concept (i.e., feasibility of implementation and acceptance) of a motor coordination intervention and a sedentary control condition in kindergartners and its preliminary effectiveness on subsequent executive function performance.

Methods

The study used a two-group post-test only design. All children aged between 4 and 7 years old were eligible. One hundred and three children (46% girls; age: M = 5.71 years, 95% CI = 5.50 to 5.92) recruited in a middle-sized town in Germany were randomly assigned to a 20-min motor coordination intervention ( n = 51) or a sedentary control condition ( n = 52), both of which were conducted in a one-on-one experimenter-child setting in the university or kindergarten. A second blinded-to-condition experimenter assessed the executive function outcomes directly following the conditions. Proof-of-concept criteria were the implementation of the intervention with a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level assessed via heart rate sensors, and with motor coordination demands, analyzed via video recordings; children’s acceptance via self-reported enjoyment of the conditions; and the post-assessments of executive functions with a behavioral and computerized task.

Results

The motor coordination intervention and the control condition were feasible in a one-on-one setting with kindergartners. The intervention revealed heart rate increases and challenging motor coordination tasks. Children in both conditions indicated they enjoy them. Performance in the two executive function tasks did not differ between children in the motor coordination intervention and the control condition.

Conclusions

A one-on-one experimenter-child setting was feasible to deliver in kindergartners. Future intervention studies should consider pre-testing of executive functions and take into account children’s characteristics as potential moderators, such as motor coordination skills.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-022-01125-w.

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Most cited references 65

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The unity and diversity of executive functions and their contributions to complex "Frontal Lobe" tasks: a latent variable analysis.

Akira Miyake, Naomi Friedman, Michael J Emerson … (2000)

This individual differences study examined the separability of three often postulated executive functions-mental set shifting ("Shifting"), information updating and monitoring ("Updating"), and inhibition of prepotent responses ("Inhibition")-and their roles in complex "frontal lobe" or "executive" tasks. One hundred thirty-seven college students performed a set of relatively simple experimental tasks that are considered to predominantly tap each target executive function as well as a set of frequently used executive tasks: the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Tower of Hanoi (TOH), random number generation (RNG), operation span, and dual tasking. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the three target executive functions are moderately correlated with one another, but are clearly separable. Moreover, structural equation modeling suggested that the three functions contribute differentially to performance on complex executive tasks. Specifically, WCST performance was related most strongly to Shifting, TOH to Inhibition, RNG to Inhibition and Updating, and operation span to Updating. Dual task performance was not related to any of the three target functions. These results suggest that it is important to recognize both the unity and diversity of executive functions and that latent variable analysis is a useful approach to studying the organization and roles of executive functions. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

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CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials

Sandra M. Eldridge, Claire L Chan, Michael J Campbell … (2017)

The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement is a guideline designed to improve the transparency and quality of the reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). In this article we present an extension to that statement for randomised pilot and feasibility trials conducted in advance of a future definitive RCT. The checklist applies to any randomised study in which a future definitive RCT, or part of it, is conducted on a smaller scale, regardless of its design (eg, cluster, factorial, crossover) or the terms used by authors to describe the study (eg, pilot, feasibility, trial, study). The extension does not directly apply to internal pilot studies built into the design of a main trial, non-randomised pilot and feasibility studies, or phase II studies, but these studies all have some similarities to randomised pilot and feasibility studies and so many of the principles might also apply. The development of the extension was motivated by the growing number of studies described as feasibility or pilot studies and by research that has identified weaknesses in their reporting and conduct. We followed recommended good practice to develop the extension, including carrying out a Delphi survey, holding a consensus meeting and research team meetings, and piloting the checklist. The aims and objectives of pilot and feasibility randomised studies differ from those of other randomised trials. Consequently, although much of the information to be reported in these trials is similar to those in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing effectiveness and efficacy, there are some key differences in the type of information and in the appropriate interpretation of standard CONSORT reporting items. We have retained some of the original CONSORT statement items, but most have been adapted, some removed, and new items added. The new items cover how participants were identified and consent obtained; if applicable, the prespecified criteria used to judge whether or how to proceed with a future definitive RCT; if relevant, other important unintended consequences; implications for progression from pilot to future definitive RCT, including any proposed amendments; and ethical approval or approval by a research review committee confirmed with a reference number. This article includes the 26 item checklist, a separate checklist for the abstract, a template for a CONSORT flowchart for these studies, and an explanation of the changes made and supporting examples. We believe that routine use of this proposed extension to the CONSORT statement will result in improvements in the reporting of pilot trials. Editor’s note: In order to encourage its wide dissemination this article is freely accessible on the BMJ and Pilot and Feasibility Studies journal websites.

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High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success.

June Tangney, Roy Baumeister, Angie Luzio Boone (2004)

What good is self-control? We incorporated a new measure of individual differences in self-control into two large investigations of a broad spectrum of behaviors. The new scale showed good internal consistency and retest reliability. Higher scores on self-control correlated with a higher grade point average, better adjustment (fewer reports of psychopathology, higher self-esteem), less binge eating and alcohol abuse, better relationships and interpersonal skills, secure attachment, and more optimal emotional responses. Tests for curvilinearity failed to indicate any drawbacks of so-called overcontrol, and the positive effects remained after controlling for social desirability. Low self-control is thus a significant risk factor for a broad range of personal and interpersonal problems.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Petra Haas:

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0646-2228

petra.haas@uni-tuebingen.de

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Pilot Feasibility Stud

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Pilot Feasibility Stud

Title: Pilot and Feasibility Studies

Publisher: BioMed Central (London )

ISSN (Electronic): 2055-5784

Publication date (Electronic): 17 August 2022

Publication date PMC-release: 17 August 2022

Publication date Collection: 2022

Volume: 8

Electronic Location Identifier: 185

Affiliations

[1 ]GRID grid.10392.39, ISNI 0000 0001 2190 1447, LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, , Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, ; Tübingen, Germany

[2 ]GRID grid.10392.39, ISNI 0000 0001 2190 1447, Research Group School Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, , Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, ; Schleichstraße 4, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

[3 ]GRID grid.10392.39, ISNI 0000 0001 2190 1447, Education & Health Research, Institute of Sports Science, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, , Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, ; Tübingen, Germany

[4 ]GRID grid.10392.39, ISNI 0000 0001 2190 1447, Methods Center, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, , Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, ; Tübingen, Germany

[5 ]GRID grid.411544.1, ISNI 0000 0001 0196 8249, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, , University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, ; Tübingen, Germany

Author information

Petra Haas http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0646-2228

Article

Publisher ID: 1125

DOI: 10.1186/s40814-022-01125-w

PMC ID: 9382724

SO-VID: bb40f2f8-3bd9-4b44-a812-85683846ff10

License:

Open AccessThis article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver ( http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

History

Date received : 7 August 2020

Date accepted : 15 July 2022

Funding

Funded by: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (1020)

Open Access :

Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.

Custom metadata

Keywords: proof-of-concept,feasibility of implementation,acceptance,executive functions,motor coordination intervention,acute physical activity,kindergartners

Data availability:

Keywords: proof-of-concept, feasibility of implementation, acceptance, executive functions, motor coordination intervention, acute physical activity, kindergartners

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Acute effects of a motor coordination intervention on executive functions in kindergartners: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial

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Supplementary Information

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Most cited references 65

The unity and diversity of executive functions and their contributions to complex "Frontal Lobe" tasks: a latent variable analysis.

CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials

High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success.

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