MoDiSchool

Project description

The study focuses on supporting the motor development of primary school-aged children (7-9 years). In the first phase, we will explore how motor competence levels and possible challenges can be identified using input from children, parents, and teachers. We will combine standardized tests, and children’s, parents’ and teachers’ reports to assess motor competence and related difficulties and compare the results of different methods. We will also examine teachers’ competencies to support motor skill development. In the second phase, we will test a 20-week physical activity intervention program.

The study will involve three groups: classroom activities only, classroom and extracurricular activities, and a control group. Outcomes include physical and psycho-social variables, with follow-ups at 5 and 12 months. Teachers will co-design the program to ensure it fits well in schools. Study results can be widely used in schools and teacher education.

Co-design

In spring 2026, the MoDiSchool project will conduct online co-design workshops for teachers, pupils, guardians and principals to collaboratively develop school-based support models for motor skills.

The workshops will focus on understanding motor challenges, implementing group-based support, and addressing structural aspects of learning support. Additionally, two teachers and their classes will participate in an interactive co-design day, including a parent evening with researchers.

Henkilöitä seisoo ja pitää ilmapalloja käsissä. Screenillä etäosallistujan kuva.

MoDiSchool-hanketiimin kokous 10.10.2025 antoi tukensa samaan aikaan vietetylle kansainväliselle DCD Awareness Weekille.

Project Team

University of Jyväskylä
Assistant Professor Mikko Huhtiniemi, (PI)
Lecturer Terhi Huovinen
Senior Lecturer Helena Viholainen
Postdoctoral Researcher Donna Niemistö
University Teacher Anni Pohjanvirta
Professor, emeritus Timo Ahonen
Postdoctoral Researcher Eero Lapinkero

Jamk University of Applied Sciences
Chief Specialist Piritta Asunta (Co-PI)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Specialist Ida Mälkönen
Principal Researcher Tuija Tammelin
Senior Advisor Janne Kulmala
Senior Advisor Tuomas Kukko
Senior Advisor Harto Hakonen
Communications Specialist Tiina Riuttanen
RDI Financial Coordinator Outi Hänninen

Internal collaborators
University lecturer, neuropsychologist, Kati Rantanen, PhD, University of Helsinki
Senior Physician Heli Sätilä, MD, PhD, Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme
Liaison manager Kirsi Naukkarinen, Finnish National Agency for Education, Schools on the Move

International collaborators
Professor Teatske Altenburg, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Netherlands
Professor John Cairney, University of Queensland, Australia
Professor Frederik Deconinck, Ghent University, Belgium
Postdoctoral Researcher Claudia Dictus, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Netherlands
Professor David Lubans, University of Newcastle, Australia
Professor Nadia Valentini, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Enhancing motor competence, health-related fitness, and psychosocial wellbeing among children with motor difficulties – A cluster-randomized controlled trial (MoDiSchool)

Project Duration: 1.9.2025–31.8.2028
Rahoittaja: Research Council of Finland, The Academy Programme for sport science and physical activity ACTIVE

Project updates

Teachers and Principals Invited to Co‑Develop the MoDiSchool Study

The MoDiSchool research project is moving into its co‑development phase. In early 2026, we invited primary school teachers and principals from across Finland to participate, and the first workshop was held on 10 February 2026.

The aim is to collaboratively develop models that support children with motor difficulties together with teachers, pupils, guardians, and principals. No previous knowledge of identifying or supporting motor difficulties was required to take part.

MoDiSchool on a Network Visit

In the MoDiSchool project, co‑design is used to prepare for the upcoming physical activity intervention in primary schools. To support both the co‑design process and the intervention planning, insights were gathered from partners in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Piritta Asunta, Senior Specialist at Likes, specialist Ida Mälkönen, and lecturer Terhi Huovinen from the University of Jyväskylä visited the Amsterdam University Medical Center and Ghent University’s Department of Movement and Sports Sciences in November 2025.
During the visit, the team discussed the MoDiSchool project and worked on the study protocol.

"In Amsterdam, we focused particularly on the co‑design protocol. In Ghent, we discussed the measures to be used in the MoDiSchool study with leading researchers in the field. We also received an overview of the ongoing research articles of UGent’s Biomechanics and Motor Control research team," describe Piritta Asunta and Ida Mälkönen.

MoDiSchool at the Finnish Conference on Sport Sciences, 3–4 September 2025

Associate Professor Mikko Huhtiniemi from the University of Jyväskylä and Senior Specialist Piritta Asunta from JAMK University of Applied Sciences were present the MoDiSchool study at the annual seminar of the Academy of Finland’s ACTIVE programme during the Finnish Conference on Sport Sciences on 3–4 September 2025 in Jyväskylä.