Integrated functional training versus conventional physical education for health-related physical fitness in preschool children: a 14-week randomized controlled trial

Background Declining physical fitness in preschool children represents a critical public health challenge. Despite theoretical advantages of integrated functional training (IFT), few dose-matched RCT have examined the efficacy of IFT compared with conventional PE. The objective of this study was to determine whether a 14-week IFT intervention could produce better improvements in health-related fitness in children aged 4–6 years compared to conventional physical exercise. Methods In this single-center, parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial, 60 preschoolers (mean age 5.30 ± 0.80 years) were randomly allocated (1, 1) to IFT ( n = 30) or Conventional PE ( n = 30). Both groups received three 45-min sessions weekly for 14 weeks. The primary outcome was the National Physical Fitness Standard composite score. Secondary outcomes included grip strength, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, 15-m obstacle run, balance beam, and two-foot hop. Between-group differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance with baseline values as covariates. Results The IFT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group across all outcomes (all p < 0.001). Effect sizes were large (Cohen’s d = 1.4–1.9), with notable enhancements in grip strength (30% improvement, d = 1.4), standing long jump (20%, d = 1.6), sit-and-reach (21%, d = 1.8), 15-m obstacle run time (−19%, d = 1.7), balance beam (33%, d = 1.8), and two-foot hop (−30%, d = 1.9). Attendance exceeded 80% in both groups and no adverse events occurred. Conclusion A 14-week kindergarten-based IFT program produced significantly greater and clinically meaningful improvements compared with Conventional PE.