Effects of integrated functional training on fundamental movement skills in children aged 4 to 5 years: A 14-week randomized controlled trial
In brief
Integrated functional training raises preschool motor scores by about 17 points
In a 14-week kindergarten trial, children who received three 45-minute sessions of integrated functional training improved their total gross-motor development score by roughly 17 points compared with peers getting standard physical education. The gain was seen in both locomotor and object-control skills, suggesting a brief, structured program can markedly enhance early movement competence, though larger, dose-matched studies are still needed.
- Journal
- Journal of science and medicine in sport (Q1)
- Published
- 28 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Chunmei Zheng, Zhengda Pan, Can Zhang, Haixia Li, Nan Zeng
- PMID
- 42705951
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.08.211
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Pediatrics and Child Health (top studies of the week, 13 September 2026): Parallel-group randomized controlled trial of functional training
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are foundational for lifelong physical activity and health, yet scalable, evidence-based programs remain limited. This study examined the effects of a 14-week integrated functional training (IFT) program on FMS among children aged 4-5 years. DESIGN: Single-center, kindergarten-based, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty preschoolers (Mage = 4.93 ± 0.52; 28 girls) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to IFT (n = 30; 3 × 45 min/week) or school's usual physical education (n = 30; 2 × 30min/week). The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) was used to assess FMS, including TGMD-2 total score, locomotor, and object-control sub-scores. RESULTS: After 14 weeks, the IFT group improved TGMD-2 total score from 61.9 ± 6.6 to 80.3 ± 4.7, whereas the comparison group changed from 67.2 ± 6.2 to 65.6 ± 4.2. After adjustment for baseline scores, the IFT group had significantly higher post-test TGMD-2 total score than the comparison group (adjusted mean difference = 16.8; 95% CI: 14.8 to 18.8; p < 0.001). Significant baseline-adjusted group effects were also observed for locomotor scores (adjusted mean difference = 6.05; 95% CI: 3.83 to 8.27; p < .001) and object-control scores (adjusted mean difference = 11.25; 95% CI: 10.08 to 12.42; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A 14-week IFT program delivered 3 × 45 min/week in a kindergarten setting was associated with greater improvements in locomotor and object-control skills among preschool children than the comparison condition delivered 2 × 30 min/week. Further studies using dose-matched designs, larger samples, and longer follow-up are needed.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.