Conference Agenda

This study examined the effects of the Ball-based Play in Preschool intervention on children’s participation in ball-based sports, joy of movement, skill level, and frequency of ball-based play. Secondary analyses of baseline data explored the distribution of these outcomes and their associations with background characteristics. The intervention integrated ball-based play into daily preschool routines and aimed to strengthen collaboration between preschools and local sports clubs to foster ball-based sports participation.

A non-randomized wait-list control design involved children from eight preschools. Parents completed a questionnaire assessing child-level outcomes and background factors. One of the assessed outcomes was the newly developed Ball Play Index, capturing three key elements of ball play: participation, enjoyment, and skill level. Baseline analyses included 429 children, while impact analyses included 108 children.

Baseline data revealed variation across the participating preschool settings. For instance, participation in ball-based sports ranged from 14% to 30%, while participation in any sport varied from 31% to 80%. Cross-sectional analyses showed associations between sports participation, Ball Play Index, and characteristics such as disability status, parental background, and gender. Impact analyses found no significant intervention effects on Ball Play Index or participation in ball-based sports.

Future initiatives should consider both the readiness of sports clubs and the current activity levels of the target group. Adopting a broader strategy that incorporates a wider range of sports could help address capacity constraints, and ensuring equal access for all children remains essential. In addition, more actively engaging parents may strengthen the process and impact of future efforts.