Effectiveness of a School-Family Integrated Physical Activity Program on Motor Skills and Health- Related Outcomes in Obese Children: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background : Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are essential for promoting both physical and psychological well-being in children. However, children with obesity often face difficulties in developing FMS. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FMSPPOC, a theory-based, multicomponent physical activity (PA) intervention incorporating school-family collaboration, in improving FMS and health-related outcomes in children with obesity. Methods : A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 142 children with obesity, who were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (IG) or a waitlist control group (CG). The IG participated in school-based PA sessions and home-based movement activities over a 24-week period, while the CG received no intervention. Primary outcomes included locomotor, ball, and composite motor skills (assessed using TGMD-3), as well as fine motor skills and balance. Secondary outcomes included light physical activity (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behavior, physical fitness, BMI, percent body fat, and perceived motor competence (PMC). Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and linear mixed-effects models with post hoc pairwise comparisons. Results : Significant group-by-time interaction effects were observed for locomotor skills ( F ₁,₁₄₀=26.52, P <0.001), ball skills ( F ₁,₁₄₀=30.02, P <0.001), and composite motor skills ( F ₁,₁₄₀=59.28, P <0.001), with the IG demonstrating significantly greater improvements than the CG (Cohen’s d =0.84–1.45). Additionally, significant interaction effects were found for MVPA ( F ₁,₁₄₀=32.23, P <0.001), physical fitness ( F ₁,₁₄₀=143.58, P <0.001), and PMC ( F ₁,₁₄₀=44.01, P <0.001), again favoring the IG (Cohen’s d =0.65–1.13). No significant effects were observed for fine motor skills, balance, LPA, sedentary behavior, or BMI (all P >0.05). Conclusions : The FMSPPOC intervention appears to be effective in improving fundamental motor skills, MVPA, physical fitness, and perceived motor competence among children with obesity. These findings offer a promising framework for implementing future pediatric motor skill interventions. Further research is warranted to examine the long-term effects and underlying mechanisms of the intervention. Trial registration : The trial was prospectively registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration No. ChiCTR2200066143) on 2023-04-15.