Fundamental Integrative Training (FIT) is a method of movement training that incorporates age-appropriate strength and conditioning exercises into a curriculum-based lesson to increase health and skill related physical fitness. The long-term purpose of the FIT program is to increase confidence in performing PA in children by providing them with a necessary skill set to be physically active outside the structured program. However, there are currently no evaluations of FIT that assess such changes in confidence or free-living PA. We are currently implementing a 12-week randomized control trial to assess the feasibility of a PE-based FIT intervention and its efficacy in improving physical fitness, motor skill competence, and physical activity levels in children. Following baseline assessments, 3rd and 4th grade classrooms (7 total classrooms) at one elementary school will be stratified by grade level and randomly assigned to the intervention (INT) or control (CON) condition. The INT classrooms will participate in the 12-week FIT intervention twice per week, while the CON group will continue participation in regular PE class. Data will be collected at baseline, 6-weeks, and immediately following the intervention to quantify changes in physical fitness, motor skill competence, potential psychosocial mediating factors (e.g., PA self efficacy, PA enjoyment, and social support for PA) and objectively measured PA.
Principal Investigator: Brittany Masteller, M.S.
Dissertation Title: Feasibility and Efficacy of Movement Training Program on Fitness, Motor Skills, and Physical Activity in Children
Dissertation Committee:
Research Assistants:
- Amanda Clayton
- Kelsey Desroches
- Krista Moorman
- Mihaela Sousa
- Rebecca Costa
- Faustina Adams
- Courtney Brown
- Katarina Gentile
- Kayla Rorke
- Melanna Cox
- Gregory Petrucci
