Introduction/Background: Despite the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS) featuring in the primary physical education (PE) curriculum in Ireland children are entering adolescence lacking in these basic movement patterns which are required for sports skill dvcelopment (O’Brien et al., 2015). Various studies support the fact that these FMS must be taught and practiced both in educational and free play settings (Mitchell et al., 2013). This study aimed to evaluate if the Youth-Physical Activity Towards Health (Y-PATH) intervention can improve FMS proficiency in a randomised controlled trial among adolescents.
Methods: Participants were 482 adolescents aged 12-13 years from twenty schools. For one academic year, participants in ten schools received the Y-PATH intervention. The remaining ten schools received their regular weekly PE lessons. The intervention consisted of a) a PE component where Y-PATH PE was taught for an academic year, b) a staff component which trained both PE teachers and all staff, c) a parent/guardian component and d) a media component. Fifteen FMS were assessed using validated tools, their PA was assessed using accelerometers, their height and weight and cardio-respiratory fitness was also recorded. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three months later at retention. Multilevel analysis were performed using MLwiN 2.35 software.
Results: Significant intervention effects across time were observed for Total Object Control (p<.0001, β=2.04, CI=1.16, 2.92) and Total Locomotor (p<.0001, β=2.13, CI=1.44, 2.82), with the greatest improvements evident for Total FMS score (p<.0001, β=4.04, CI=2.39, 5.69). The effects of the intervention were significant and positive for all children in the Intervention group regardless of gender, weight status, or PA level (p=.03 to <.0001).
Conclusions: Y-PATH has the potential to improve FMS proficiency among adolescents regardless of gender, weight status and activity levels and subsequently improve PA levels and sport participation.
• Innovative perspectives on physical education, physical activity, health and wellbeing a
