Feasibility and Potential Efficacy of Movement-Active-Physical-Play (M.A.P.P) Physical Activity Program in New Zealand’s Early Childhood Education Centres: A Pilot Cluster-randomised Controlled Trial

Objective: To determine feasibility and potential efficacy of the M.A.P.P physical activity program in early childhood education (ECE) centres.

Method: Four ECE centres were randomised to intervention (n=2) or control (n=2). Participants included 46 children (3.9 ± 0.5 years, M = 22, F = 24), 8 female leaders, and 20 female teachers. The 10-week online M.A.P.P. intervention aimed to improve physical activity (PA) levels and the quality of movement environments. Potential efficacy was assessed using accelerometry; feasibility was explored via observations and interviews.

Results: Programme adherence was high (80%). Teachers, leaders and children reported M.A.P.P as enjoyable. No significant intervention effects were found for sedentary behaviour (β = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): [-7.00, 9.27], p=0.244), light PA (β = 11.5, 95% CI: [-0.97, 23.9], p=0.367), moderate PA (β = -10.8, 95% CI: [-22.1, 0.49], p=0.685), vigorous PA (β = -1.98, 95% CI: [-6.48, 2.51], p=0.458), moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (β = -13.5, 95% CI: [-27.1, 0.125], p=0.849).

Conclusions: M.A.P.P. is feasible in ECE centres but its effects on PA require further investigation.

Implications for public health: Supporting ECE teachers to promote PA may provide public health benefits in early childhood.