To PE, or Not to PE, That is the Question

Abstract

up periods (3 and 6 months). Gross motor quotient (GMQ) was used to provide a combined measure of the object control and locomotor assessments measured by the TGMD-2. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the clustered repeated measures data. At baseline, 25.6 % and 14.3% of the control and intervention groups were overweight (85th to <95th %ile) and 15.4% and 14.3% of these two groups were obese (>95th %ile). There was no difference in BMI over time or between groups. There was a 4 point increase in GMQ (control) at 3-months which returned to baseline levels at 6-months. Intervention group at 3-months increased by 10 points with a decrease by 3 points at 6-months. Despite difference over time (p ¼ 0.0001) in GMQ for both groups, no difference existed between groups. This pilot did not result in a change in BMI or GMQ between groups. Intervention intensity, compliance, sample sizes, or the Hawthorne effect may be contributors. An appropriately powered, more intensive intervention Activity Begins in Childhood Trial is underway.