ArticleAIMS public health2022
Impact of an outdoor loose parts intervention on Nova Scotia preschoolers' fundamental movement skills: a multi-methods randomized controlled trial.
Article in AIMS public health, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Can active play replace skill-oriented physical education in enhancing fundamental movement skills among preschool children? A systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC public health · 2025Pooled it
- Effects of structured and unstructured interventions on fundamental motor skills in preschool children: a meta-analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2024Pooled it
- Impact of an outdoor loose parts play intervention on Nova Scotian preschoolers' physical literacy: a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial.BMC public health · 2023Trial
- Observing children's outdoor loose parts play, fundamental movement skills, and physical activity in after-school programs through a behavioral mapping approach.AIMS public health · 2026Article
- The feasibility of evaluating outdoor nature-based early childhood education and care provision: a pilot quasi-experimental design.Pilot and feasibility studies · 2025Article
- Effects of physical activity interventions on fundamental movement skills and cognitive function in early childhood: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Journal of sport and health science · 2025Review
- Promoting health and equity in schools: environmental scan of outdoor learning spaces in Nova Scotia.Health promotion international · 2025Article
- The Relationship Between Children's Indoor Loose Parts Play and Cognitive Development: A Systematic Review.Journal of Intelligence · 2025Review
- Le développement sain de l'enfant par le jeu risqué extérieur : un équilibre à trouver avec la prévention des blessures.Paediatrics & child health · 2024Review
- Healthy childhood development through outdoor risky play: Navigating the balance with injury prevention.Paediatrics & child health · 2024Review
- Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4-5 Years.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- It is child's play: Caregiver and playworker perspectives on a community park-based unstructured play program.PloS one · 2024Article
- An Observational Study on Play and Physical Activity Associated with a Recreational Facility-Led Park-Based "Loose Parts" Play Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Evaluating Outdoor Nature-Based Early Learning and Childcare Provision for Children Aged 3 Years: Protocol of a Feasibility and Pilot Quasi-Experimental Design.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Development of fundamental movement skills in early childhood supports lifelong health. The potential for outdoor play with loose parts to enhance fundamental movement skills has not been investigated. A multi-methods randomized controlled design was used to determine the efficacy of integrating outdoor loose parts play into Nova Scotia childcare centers (19 sites: 11 interventions, 8 control). Movement skills (n = 209, age 3-5 years) were assessed over a 6-month period to investigate changes in fundamental movement skills over time and between groups. Qualitative data was also collected on the educators' perceptions of outdoor loose parts play. Quantitative data (fundamental movement skills) revealed a non-intervention effect, however, educators spoke of outdoor loose parts play providing opportunities to combine/ repeat movements and take risks; supporting physical, cognitive and socio-emotional (holistic) development; and increasing awareness of children's physical development and how to support it. Our findings demonstrate value in outdoor loose parts play for the development of fundamental movement skills in childcare settings.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.