Enhancing physical literacy through active play in overweight /obesity elementary students in Thailand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v74.117582Keywords:
active play program, physical competence, overweight or obese, FMS, locomotor skillsAbstract
Introduction: Overweight and obesity in children have been associated with reduced physical competence from risk due to their greater body mass, which negatively affects their overall physical competence
Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a 6-week active play intervention in enhancing physical competence among overweight and obese upper elementary school students.
Methodology: An experimental, pre-and post-controlled trial was conducted with 50 overweight or obese students (aged 10–11 years), assigned to an intervention group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 25). Participants were selected using purposive sampling from a school located in Suphanburi province. The intervention group participated in a 6-week active play program. Physical competence was assessed using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy-2 (CAPL-2), including the PACER (aerobic fitness), plank assessment (musculoskeletal endurance), and the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (CAMSA) for motor performance.
Results: The intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in musculoskeletal endurance (t=2.146, p=.018), motor performance (t=2.293, p=.013), and total physical competence scores (t=2.829, p=.003) compared to the control group. Improvements were particularly notable in locomotor skills, while changes in manipulative skills and aerobic fitness were not statistically significant.
Discussion: The active play program produced improvements in physical competence, particularly musculoskeletal endurance, motor performance, and overall physical competence.
Conclusions: This study supports the efficacy of structured active play programs in enhancing physical competence in overweight and obese children. The results highlight the potential of developmentally appropriate, enjoyable play to address movement limitations, particularly in locomotor performance, and to promote overall physical competence.
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