We-Move With Windy: Gross Motor Development for Early Childhood

NCT07346300 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 260646
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 266
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The long-term goal of this project is to learn whether a tailored physical activity program is practical, enjoyable, and helpful for families, and whether it has the potential to improve children's physical development and health. Before launching a large study, the research team completed several early phases to make sure the program met families' needs. First, a needs assessment was conducted with mothers to understand barriers to physical activity and what types of support would be most useful. Using this feedback, the program was refined and tested with three mother-child pairs over six weeks. Finally, there was an 18-week pilot randomized trial to examine feasibility and acceptability. Researchers are now conducting a larger randomized trial with up to 266 families. Half of the families are randomly assigned to receive the physical activity program, and half to a comparison group. The program combines fun, age-appropriate movement activities for children with practical support for parents. Sessions focus on building core movement skills such as jumping, balancing, running, and throwing, while also encouraging confidence, coordination, and enjoyment of being active. Activities can be adapted to each child's ability and home environment, making the program realistic for busy families. The program includes both in-person sessions and technology-based activities. In-person sessions provide hands-on support for learning new skills. Technology-based activities offer simple ideas families can use at home or during daily routines, such as hopping games, balance challenges, or quick movement breaks. Because parents in earlier phases wanted nutrition support, in-person sessions also includes a brief, child-friendly exposure to fruits and vegetables, along with simple recipes. A "Tasting Party" at the start of the program allows children to try different foods, and Veggie Meter scans at the beginning and end of the study help track changes in fruit and vegetable intake. Overall, this study will help determine whether a family-tailored physical activity program is a promising approach to improving physical activity, movement skills, and early health indicators in young children born to mothers with obesity.

Conditions

Physical Activities

Keywords

Preschool children; Early childhood; Physical activity intervention; Gross motor skills; Motor development

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Test of Gross Motor Development-2

  The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2)31 was used to assess children's motor skill competence. The TGMD-2 assesses 12 skills: run, gallop, hop, leap, horizontal jump, slide (locomotor skills); striking a stationary ball, stationary dribble, kick, catch, overhand throw, and underhand roll (object control skills). A research team member demonstrates the proficient technique to the child; then, the child is asked to perform the skill twice. Researchers score each attempt to perform the skill based on set criteria. Scores on the TGMD range from 0 to 100 with higher scores reflecting greater gross motor skill proficiency.

  At baseline (prior to intervention initiation) and at post-intervention (approximately 19-25 weeks after baseline).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Raman Spectroscopy

  At baseline (prior to intervention initiation) and at post-intervention (approximately 19-25 weeks after baseline).

• Accelerometry

  One 7-day assessment period during the intervention (approximately weeks 6-12) and one 7-day assessment period at post-intervention (approximately 19-25 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

We Move with Windy

EXPERIMENTAL

Children and their moms attend 18 weeks of intervention. The first 6 weeks are fully in person for 1 hour, twice per week. The next 6 weeks are 1 in person 1 hour session and 1 zoom-based session for. The final 6 weeks are 2 sessions per week via zoom for 30-45 minuets with one in person session every other week to maintain engagement. The third phase includes home-based activity suggestions.

Behavioral: We Move with Windy

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Children are encouraged to follow the physical activity recommendations of their physician.

Interventions

We Move with Windy BEHAVIORAL

The intervention is an 18-week, family-centered program designed to increase physical activity and gross motor skills in preschool children born to mothers with obesity. Families in the treatment group participate in fun, developmentally appropriate movement activities-such as jumping, balancing, and throwing-through a mix of in-person sessions and technology-delivered activities that can be done at home. Activities are tailored to each child's skill level and each family's environment. Parents learn simple ways to support activity and practice skills in daily routines. Each in-person session also includes a brief fruit-and-vegetable exposure activity and recipe to promote healthy eating habits

We Move with Windy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 3 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Body mass index \>30 and
• The child is between 3 and 5 years of age.

You may not qualify if:

• mothers sharing that a doctor has requested that either mother or child not exercise (e.g., asthma).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute: lead

Study Sites (1)

Arkansas Children's Research Institute

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Taren Swindle

  University of Arkansas

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Taren Swindle

CONTACT

18702360997; tswindle@uams.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 4, 2025
• First Posted: January 16, 2026
• Study Start: July 28, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2031
• Last Updated: January 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)