Effects of a School-Based Physical Activity Intervention on 24-Hour Movement Behaviours and Motor Development in Preschool Children - Study Protocol

Summary

This protocol describes a quasi-experimental controlled study evaluating the effects of the Super Quinas in Preschool programme on 24-hour movement behaviours and motor development in preschool children aged 3-6 years. The intervention consists of one additional structured 60-minute physical activity session per week for 12 weeks, delivered by a qualified exercise professional in a public preschool in Maia, Portugal. Four classes (\~80 children) are allocated at the class level: two to the intervention condition and two to the control condition (usual curricular Physical Education). Baseline data collection (T0) was conducted between 4 and 18 March 2026; the intervention commenced on 25 March 2026. Subsequent assessments are planned for early May (T1, mid-intervention), end of June (T2, post-intervention), and mid-September 2026 (T3, follow-up). Primary outcomes are 24-hour movement behaviours (ActiGraph GT3X accelerometry) and motor competence and physical fitness (Motor Competence Assessment + PREFIT subtests). Secondary outcomes include executive function (HTKS; Day-Night Stroop) and socioemotional regulation (SDQ). Statistical analyses will use longitudinal linear mixed-effects models under an intention-to-treat framework.

Conditions

• Physical Inactivity
• Sedentariness
• Sleep
• Motor Skills
• Executive Function
• Emotional Regulation

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

SuperQuinas in Preschool Programme

One additional 60-minute structured physical activity session delivered once per week for 12 consecutive weeks during regular school hours by the principal investigator, a qualified exercise professional. Sessions follow a standardised three-phase structure: a warm-up of exploratory movement and dynamic play, a central phase of structured motor tasks targeting locomotor, object control, and stability skills with progressive task complexity and embedded inhibitory control demands, and a cool-down with low-intensity movement and guided reflection. Each session includes informal age-appropriate health messages addressing physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep routines. The intervention is added to existing curricular Physical Education and does not replace it. Fidelity is monitored through structured session checklists completed after each session.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Portuguese Football Federation

  collaborator OTHER

• Lusofona University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Inês M Aleixo, PhD · CIDEFES, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, Portugal

• Maurício S Fernandes, Master Degree / PhD Candidact · CIDEFES, Universidade Lusófona / Federação Portuguesa de Futebol

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

3 Years

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-04

Primary Completion

2026-10-08

Completion

2027-11-01

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations