Outcomes of the Y-PATH randomised controlled trial: can a school based intervention improve fundamental movement skill proficiency in adolescent youth?

Background. Multi-component school-based interventions are considered to be an effective method of improving fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency levels and physical activity (PA) among youth. This study aimed to evaluate if the Youth-Physical Activity Towards Health (Y-PATH) intervention can improve FMS proficiency in a randomised controlled trial among adolescents. Methods. Participants were 482 adolescents aged 12-13 years from twenty schools. For one academic year, participants in ten schools received the Y-PATH intervention. The remaining ten schools received their regular weekly PE lessons. Fifteen FMS were assessed using validated tools, their PA was assessed using accelerometers, their height and weight and cardio-respiratory fitness was also recorded. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post13 intervention, and three months later at retention. Multilevel analysis were performed using MLwiN 2.35 software. Results. Significant intervention effects across time were observed for Total Object Control (p<.0001, β=2.04, CI=1.16, 2.92) and Total Locomotor (p<.0001, β=2.13, CI=1.44, 2.82), with the greatest improvements evident for Total FMS score (p<.0001, β=4.04, CI=2.39, 5.69). The effects of the intervention were significant and positive for all children in the Intervention group regardless of gender, weight status, or PA level (p=.03 to <.0001). Conclusions. Y-PATH has the potential to improve FMS proficiency among adolescents regardless of gender, weight status and activity levels.