Abstract
BACKGROUND: Promoting physical activity and motor development in early childhood is important for physical and mental health outcomes later in life. However, knowledge on how to influence physical activity and motor development in early life focusing on families and their context in daily life is currently lacking. This study therefore aims to take a systemic approach to investigate the support needs, obstacles and opportunities as perceived by parents and their network to influence physical activity and motor development of young children aged 0 to 4 years. METHODS: This study employs a longitudinal design over a two-month period per family, with mixed methods data collection. Data are collected in 36 families with a child aged 0 to 4 years and a total of 72 network contacts (2 per family). The study is part of the larger Active System for an Active Start project. Extensive qualitative and quantitative data are collected about parents' perceived needs, obstacles and opportunities to influence their children's physical activity and motor development, as well as information about parental and child characteristics and their social and physical environment. Parents fill out a questionnaire, participate in two interviews at their homes and fill out brief momentary assessments, for two weeks, four times a day, using Experience Sampling Methodology. In addition, the researchers observe parenting behaviour and the home environment during the first interview. Network contacts participate in one interview. Thematic analyses using open and axial group coding will be conducted on the qualitative data. Linear (mixed) modelling will be employed to analyse the quantitative (longitudinal) data. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will generate in-depth insights into parents' perceptions and needs to influence their young children's physical activity and motor development as well as the daily activities of parents and children within their physical and social environments, including the family network. These results will inform the development of intervention and implementation strategies within the larger Active System for an Active Start study, focused on early life and systemic changes to improve physical activity and motor development of young children in the Netherlands.