The short-term effects of a multimodal intervention on the motor skill competency, physical fitness, physical activity, and psychosocial health of preadolescent girls
Abstract
This study evaluated the short-term effects of an innovative multimodal intervention on motor skill competency, physical fitness, psychosocial health, and physical activity in preadolescent girls. Methods: Participants were randomized into a control group (n = 27) and an intervention group (n = 50). Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2), the Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) proficiency checklist, a 20-m shuttle run, isometric mid-thigh pull, countermovement jump, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and physical activity via accelerometry, daily steps, and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children. Psychosocial health was measured using subsets of the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire, Fourth Edition, and Self-Description Questionnaire, First Edition. The 9-week intervention incorporated FMS development progressing to sport-specific skills training, high-intensity interval training, strength training, and psychosocial components. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in the intervention group’s pre-and posttest scores for FMS proficiency, MABC-2 percentile, cardiorespiratory fitness, overall strength, power (all p ≤.001), perceived physical ability, and psychosocial health (both p ≤.05). Postintervention FMS proficiency was significantly higher in the intervention compared with the control group (p ≤.001), with no difference observed at pretesting. Conclusion: The innovative, multimodal intervention effectively enhanced motor skills, physical fitness, and psychosocial health in preadolescent girls. This suggests that a program incorporating diverse exercise modes can significantly improve both physical and psychosocial health in preadolescent girls. Further research is recommended to examine the long-term effects and to explore additional physical activity measures.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
Volume
33
Issue
1
Publication Title
Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
Publisher
Human Kinetics
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Copyright
subscription content
Comments
Cormack, K. A., Kendall, K., & Wilkie, J. L. C. (2025). The short-term effects of a multimodal intervention on the motor skill competency, physical fitness, physical activity, and psychosocial health of preadolescent girls. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 33(1). https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2025-0061