SUNRISE Albania – International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years

The Albanian Sport Science Association (ASSA) successfully implemented the SUNRISE Albania project as part of the International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years (SUNRISE), a global research initiative coordinated by the University of Wollongong (Australia) and conducted in countries around the world. The project supports the implementation and monitoring of the World Health Organization (WHO) 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for children under 5 years of age.

Implemented in collaboration with the University of Wollongong, the Albanian pilot study assessed the movement behaviours of preschool children aged 3–5 years, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, motor competence, executive functions, and anthropometric characteristics. The project also evaluated the feasibility of applying international research protocols within the Albanian context, contributing valuable evidence for future national and international research.

The SUNRISE project aims to:
✅ Monitor children’s compliance with the WHO 24-Hour Movement Guidelines.
✅ Examine differences according to sex, family education, and urban–rural settings.
✅ Investigate how movement behaviours relate to children’s health, motor development, and cognitive development.
✅ Strengthen international collaboration and build research capacity in early childhood movement behaviours.

Through this successful implementation, ASSA contributed to one of the world’s largest collaborative studies on early childhood health, providing important evidence to support policies and interventions that promote healthy movement behaviours from the earliest years of life.

🤝 Together, we are advancing research, improving child health, and building healthier futures through science and international collaboration.

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