Abstract
The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week coordinative ability training program on adolescents’ cognitive functioning, using evaluation tests of visuospatial perception, attention, and working memory. We randomly assigned 60 public school students (14–15 years) to either an experimental coordinative abilities training (∼40 min twice/week) group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30) who received general psycho-physical wellness training (∼40 min., twice a week). At baseline and after training we used two standardized motor tests and a single cognitive measure (Corsi’s Block-tapping test) to assess students’ visuospatial perception, attention, and working memory. We found a significant Time x Group interaction for the Throwing and Catching Test and Corsi’s Block-Tapping test, reflecting a meaningful experimental group improvement (p < 0.001), and there were no significant pre-post changes found in the control group. Thus, a 12-week program of coordinative abilities was able to improve not only coordination skills but aspects of cognitive functioning relevant to academic achievement.
Highlights
Physical exercise represents a natural and productive opportunity for both physical and cognitive development
The strength of this study was that our results extend the knowledge base on coordinative exercise and add new evidence indicating that the benefits of this intervention on memory, attention and visuospatial span consolidation might generalize to other forms of cognitive skills
This positive effect of coordinative exercise has significant perspectives in both sports and school achievement. These findings could inform teachers that coordinative exercise, carried out twice per week, in 60 min sessions for 12 weeks might serve as a useful intervention to improve the academic performances of adolescent students
Summary
Physical exercise represents a natural and productive opportunity for both physical and cognitive development. Exercise can help people feel better about themselves, decreases risk of diseases and improves learning (Janssen and LeBlanc, 2010) This occurs because a regular engagement in physical exercise produces numerous health benefits in the brain, by inducing structural and functional changes (Singh et al, 2019). First of all, it increases gray matter volume in frontal and hippocampal regions, increases blood flow, and affects brain plasticity (Fernandes et al, 2017). The constant practice of physical activity leads to durable changes enhancing brain integrity and brain functioning and, cognitive health. These effects are reflected on cognitive functioning and on academic achievement (Hötting and Röder, 2013)
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