Distraction versus Intensity: The Importance of Exercise Classes for Cognitive Performance in School

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the influence of a class of aerobic exercise and an art class on brain cortical activity and possible effects on cognitive performance. Subject and Methods: Electroencephalography was used to record the electrocortical activity of 16 schoolchildren (8-10 years old) before and after an aerobic exercise class and an art class. Performance in a standardized test of educational attainment (VERA-3) was assessed following both classes. Results: A significant decrease in cortical activity was detected in all 4 lobes after exercise but not after art classes (p < 0.05). No changes in cognitive performance were observed after exercise and art classes. Conclusion: In this study, cortical activity was reduced after an exercise class but no effect on cognitive performance was observed. Hence, the neurophysiological effect of exercise should be further evaluated regarding different kinds of cognitive performance: creativity, knowledge acquisition as well as the outlasting effects of exercise on academic achievement.

The effects of physical activity on brain structure and neurophysiological functioning in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All studies in healthy children showed physical activity-induced acute effects on neurophysiological functioning. Results indicated improved neurophysiological functioning during rest ( Mierau et al, 2014 ) and goal-directed behavior ( Chen et al, 2016 ; Mierau et al, 2014 ; Wollseiffen et al, 2018 ), greater allocation of attentional resources during task performance ( Chu et al, 2017 ; Hillman et al, 2009 ; Lind et al, 2019 ; St Louis Deschenes et al, 2015 ) and improved conflict processing ( Chu et al, 2017 ). Three of the seven studies reported accompanying beneficial effects on measures of cognitive performance ( Chen et al, 2016 ; Hillman et al, 2009 ; Lind et al, 2019 ) or academic functioning ( Hillman et al, 2009 ).…”

“…Higher values are interpreted as more positive ( Larson et al, 2011 ). Cortical current density The electric current caused by neural activity per square millimetre, in which lower values are interpreted as more positive ( Wollseiffen et al, 2018 ). Contingent negative variation (CNV) Slow negative ERP appearing during a reaction time task between a warning and an imperative stimulus, in which a greater CNV amplitude reflects a higher efficiency of stimuli processing ( Grünewald-Zuberbier et al, 1978 ).…”

Does Physical Activity Improve Cognition and Academic Performance in Children? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…However, future studies are needed to test this inverted U-shaped hypothesis. As mentioned, 5 articles showed large effect sizes for most of the studied variables (between 90 and 100% of the variables [17][18][19][20][21]), and 7 articles showed small or medium effect sizes [22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

“…Two articles [15,16] had insufficient data for calculating the effect size, r and r 2 . Seven studies showed small or medium size effects for all analyzed variables [22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

“…Five articles showed great and excellent size effect for most of the studied variables [17][18][19][20][21]. Six articles showed small or medium size effect [22][23][24][25][26][27], and 7 studies showed insufficient size effect for all analyzed variables [28][29][30][31][32][33][34].…”