Effects of a Cognitively Demanding Aerobic Intervention During Recess on Children’s Physical Fitness and Executive Functioning

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneke G. van der Niet ◽  
Joanne Smith ◽  
Jaap Oosterlaan ◽  
Erik J.A. Scherder ◽  
Esther Hartman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Span Test ◽  
Activity Program

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a physical activity program including both aerobic exercise and cognitively engaging physical activities on children’s physical fitness and executive functions. Children from 3 primary schools (aged 8–12 years) were recruited. A quasi-experimental design was used. Children in the intervention group (n = 53; 19 boys, 34 girls) participated in a 22-week physical activity program for 30 min during lunch recess, twice a week. Children in the control group (n = 52; 32 boys, 20 girls) followed their normal lunch routine. Aerobic fitness, speed and agility, and muscle strength were assessed using the Eurofit test battery. Executive functions were assessed using tasks measuring inhibition (Stroop test), working memory (Visual Memory Span test, Digit Span test), cognitive flexibility (Trailmaking test), and planning (Tower of London). Children in the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement than children in the control group on the Stroop test and Digit Span test, reflecting enhanced inhibition and verbal working memory skills, respectively. No differences were found on any of the physical fitness variables. A physical activity program including aerobic exercise and cognitively engaging physical activities can enhance aspects of executive functioning in primary school children.

scholarly journals A Randomized Trial of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents with Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Paul Saultier ◽  
Clothilde Vallet ◽  
Frédéric Sotteau ◽  
Zeinab Hamidou ◽  
Jean-Claude Gentet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Program

Background: to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a physical activity program (PAP) in children and adolescents with cancer. Methods: children and adolescents with cancer were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the six-month PAP (intervention group) or to the control group. The first evaluation was performed at the end of the PAP (T0 + 6 mo). At T0 + 6 mo, both groups received the six-month PAP with a second evaluation at T0 + 12 mo. The primary outcome was the evolution of exercise capacity measured using the six-minute walk test (6 MWT) at T0 + 6 mo. Secondary outcomes included PAP safety and changes in other physical functions, self-esteem, and quality-of-life parameters. Results: The trial involved 80 children and adolescents (age range 5.0–18.4 years), of whom 41 were assigned to the interventional group and 39 to the control group. Underlying malignancies were leukemia (39%) and a broad range of solid tumors (61%). No adverse events occurred. At T0 + 6 mo, the evolution of the 6 MWT distance (±SEM) was improved in the intervention group vs. the control group (86 ± 12 m vs. 32 ± 6 m, p < 0.001). Several other physical parameters were significantly improved in the intervention group. Global self-esteem and parent-reported quality-of-life were significantly increased in the intervention group. Analysis at T0 + 12 mo showed persistence of the benefits in the intervention group on exercise capacity evolution (115 ± 18 m vs. 49 ± 11 m, p = 0.004) and on most physical and QoL parameters. Conclusion: In children and adolescents with cancer, a physical activity program is safe, improves exercise capacity, and may have physical and psychological benefits.

scholarly journals Improving Health of People With Multiple Sclerosis From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study in Parallel Groups: Preliminary Results on the Efficacy of a Mindfulness Intervention and Intention Implementation Associated With a Physical Activity Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eya Torkhani ◽  
Emilie Dematte ◽  
Jean Slawinski ◽  
Antonia Csillik ◽  
Marie-Claire Gay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Implementation Intention ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Mindfulness Interventions ◽  
Intention Group

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of psychological Interventions – Mindfulness or Implementation Intention – associated with a Physical Activity program, delivered via internet, in reducing Multiple Sclerosis symptoms.Method: Thirty-five adults were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: a Mindfulness-Based Intervention group (N = 12), Implementation Intention group (N = 11), and a Control Group (N = 12). All the groups received the same Physical Activity program. The Mindfulness condition group received daily training in the form of pre-recorded sessions while the Implementation group elaborated their specific plans once a week. Mobility, fatigue, and the impact of the disease on the patient’s life were measured. Two measurement times are carried out in pre-post intervention, at baseline and after eight weeks.Results: Overall, after 8 weeks intervention, results show that there was a significant increase in Walking distance in the three groups. In addition, the within-group analysis showed a statistically significant improvement between pre and post intervention on the physical component of the Disease Impact scale in the Implementation Intention group (p = 0.023) with large effect size, in the Mindfulness-Based Intervention group (p = 0.008) with a medium effect size and in the control group (p = 0.028) with small effect size. In the Implementation Intention group, all physical, psychosocial and cognitive Fatigue Impact subscales scores decreased significantly (p = 0.022, p = 0.023, and p = 0.012, respectively) and the physical component was statistically and negatively correlated (r = −0.745; p = 0.008) when Implementation Intention group practice a mild to moderate physical activity. In the Mindfulness-Based Intervention group, the physical component (MFIS) showed a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.028) but no correlation with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); the control group outcomes did not reveal any significant change.Conclusion: The results of this study are very encouraging and show the feasibility of Mindfulness interventions associated with physical activity to improve the health of people with MS. Further study should assess Mindfulness interventions tailored to MS condition and using both hedonic and eudemonic measures of happiness.

Aggie Play: A Gender-Relevant Physical Activity Program for Girls

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-205
Author(s):  
Phillip Post ◽  
Rebecca Palacios
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Role Models ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Physical Activity Programming

A majority of U.S. children age 6–17 years do not meet the recommended 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Girls are less likely to meet these daily physical activity guidelines than boys. Following a call for greater gender-relevant physical activity programming, Aggie Play, an after-school physical activity program, engaged female student athletes to serve as active role models who lead girls through high-energy activities twice a week over a school year. The purpose of this study was to explore how Aggie Play affected girls’ self-efficacy and expected enjoyment for physical activity, time spent in various physical activity intensities during free play, and fitness, relative to a control group. Results revealed that the girls participating in Aggie Play increased ratings of physical activity self-efficacy and enjoyment compared with girls at a control site. Aggie Play girls also demonstrated greater improvements on the muscle-endurance test than girls at a control site. Results are consistent with prior gender-relevant physical activity and physical education research. This study extends prior results by documenting the benefits of gender-relevant physical activity programming when led by active female role models.

scholarly journals Changes in anthropometric parameters and physical fitness in older adults after participating in a 16-week physical activity program

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-382
Author(s):  
Pablo Valdés-Badilla ◽  
Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz ◽  
Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo ◽  
Andrés Godoy-Cumillaf ◽  
Yeny Concha-Cisternas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Chair Stand ◽  
Activity Program

Introduction: Physical activity is important for achieving healthy aging. Objective: To analyze changes in anthropometric parameters and physical fitness among Chilean older adults after participating in a 16-week physical activity program and to evaluate whether there were differences in relation to their baseline nutritional status or not. Materials and methods: Pre-experimental quantitative study. The study population consisted of 176 older adults (155 women and 21 men) distributed in three groups: normal weight (n=56), overweight (n=67) and obese (n=53). The following variables were evaluated: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and physical fitness. Results: Significant decreases between pre- and post-measurements were found for WC (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.015), and WHR (p<0.001). Improvements were observed in the following tests: chair stand (p<0.001), arm curl (p<0.001), 2-min step (p<0.001), chair sit-&-reach (p=0.018) and back scratch (p=0.014). Regarding BMI, significant changes were observed between normal weight vs. overweight participants (p=0.001) and between normal weight vs. obese participants (p=0.001). Conclusion: Older adult participants that regularly attended the physical activity program were able to reduce their WC, BMI and WHR, and also improved their physical-functional performance on the chair stand, arm curl, 2-min step, chair sit-&-reach and back scratch tests. In addition, anthropometric parameters and physical fitness also improved regardless of their baseline nutritional status.  

The Impact of Enrollment in an Instructional Physical Activity Program Course on the Physical Activity Level and Enjoyment of Physical Activity of University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant M. Hill ◽  
Bernard D. Goldfine ◽  
Kandice J. Porter ◽  
Zenong Yin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Training Control ◽  
The Impact

e purposes of this research were to determine whether participation in a university elective instruction-al physical activity program course (IPAP) would increase the weekly physical activity level of students and resultin a signi cantly higher score on the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Treatment-group participantswere enrolled in an elective IPAP course that was either sport-based (e.g., volleyball, tennis) or physical condi-tioning-based (e.g., aerobic/strength training). Control-group participants (N=180) were students from the sameuniversities who were not enrolled during that term in an IPAP course. Student responses to the Godin-ShephardLeisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire indicated within-group changes in pre vs. post physical activity thatwere signi cant for the treatment group, but not the control group. Results indicate participation in an IPAPcourse signi cantly increases the physical activity levels of students and also signi cantly increases the physical activ-ity enjoyment of students with the most sedentary lifestyles.

scholarly journals Impact of Zumba on Cognition and Quality of Life is Independent of APOE4 Carrier Status in Cognitively Unimpaired Older Women: A 6-Month Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 153331751986837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Stonnington ◽  
Janina Krell-Roesch ◽  
Dona E. C. Locke ◽  
Joseph G. Hentz ◽  
Amylou C. Dueck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Carrier Status ◽  
Visuospatial Working Memory ◽  
Apoe4 Carrier

Objective: To investigate the association of a 6-month Zumba intervention with cognition and quality of life among older cognitively unimpaired apolipoprotein ∊4 (APOE4) carrier and noncarrier women. Methods: Fifty-three women were randomly assigned to either twice-weekly Zumba group classes or maintenance of habitual exercise (control group) for 6 months. At baseline, 3, and 6 months, all participants underwent neuropsychological, physical activity, and quality-of-life assessments. Results: Overall, neuropsychological test scores and level of physical activity did not differ between intervention and control groups at any time. However, compared to the control group, quality of life was higher at 3 months, and visuospatial working memory and response inhibition improved more in the intervention group by 6 months. Apolipoprotein ∊4 status did not affect the results. Discussion: Zumba may strengthen performance on visuospatial working memory among cognitively unimpaired older women but this needs to be tested in a larger clinical trial.

Effects of a Three-Year Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity from Age 4 to 7

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arja Sääkslahti ◽  
Pirkko Numminen ◽  
Pia Salo ◽  
Juhani Tuominen ◽  
Hans Helenius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High Activity ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Family Based ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

This study focused on the physical activities of 228 children over 3 years. Children were divided into control (n = 112) and intervention (n = 116) groups. Parents of intervention-group children received information and concrete suggestions on how, when, and where to encourage their child’s physical activity. Children in the intervention group spent more time playing outdoors (p = .041) than did children in the control group, and play in the high-activity category increased with age (p < .001), whereas no change occurred in the control group. Our study showed that children’s physical activity could be increased via family-based intervention.

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