The Effects of Cognitively Challenging Physical Activity Games versus Health-Related Fitness Activities on Students’ Executive Functions and Situational Interest in Physical Education: A Group-Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study compared cognitively challenging physical activity games and health-related fitness activities in terms of their effects on students’ executive functions and situational interest in physical education. A total of 102 fourth- and fifth-grade students (56 boys, 46 girls) participated in this study. A group-randomized controlled trial design involving an acute experiment was used. Two intact classes of students (one fourth-grade and one fifth-grade) were randomly assigned to each one of the three groups. Students in Group 1 participated in cognitively challenging physical activity games, students in Group 2 participated in activities for developing their health-related fitness, and Group 3 students were the control group without physical education. Executive functions were measured pre- and post-intervention with the design fluency test, whereas situational interest was only measured post-intervention with the situational interest scale. Group 1 students who played cognitively challenging physical activity games had increased their executive functions’ scores more than the Group 2 students involved in health-related fitness activities. Students of both these groups outperformed control group students. Moreover, Group 1 students reported higher levels of instant enjoyment and total interest than Group 2 students. The results of this study suggest that cognitively challenging physical activity games can be an effective means for enhancing executive functions, and motivate students to be involved in interesting and enjoyable forms of physical activity.

Unveiling the Impact of Metacognition on Academic Achievement in Physical Education and Activity Settings: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Qualitative Insights

“…Yoga 52 , 72 and taekwondo 50 , 60 programs can improve students’ and athletes’ emotional regulation and attention. Cognitive challenge games 11 , 35 can enhance participants’ executive functions, cognitive abilities, and self-regulation skills. These findings align with those from quantitative research and also address the deficiency of emotional aspects of metacognition in quantitative studies.…”

“…Currently, a large number of studies demonstrate that in the field of PE and PA, direct or indirect interventions related to metacognition, such as physical education teaching models, 12 , 87 teaching methods and teaching styles 27 , 88 had certain effects on students’ metacognitive skills. Other methods include pressure training, cognitive-behavioral training, reflective practice, 11 , 30 , 35 social feedback and process goals, 29 , 36 as well as other single or comprehensive training methods that incorporate metacognitive features. 66 , 67 , 89 Especially in the case of certain cognition-related games and training courses, the effectiveness of methods is more pronounced.…”

The Effects of a Cognitively Challenging Physical Activity Intervention on School Children’s Executive Functions and Motivational Regulations

“…Moreover, Kolovelonis and Goudas [37] found that children who were involved in such games improved their scores in executive functions and reported higher scores on novelty compared with children who were taught soccer or track and field skills. Similarly, these games were more effective in improving children's executive functions and enhancing their total interest and instant enjoyment compared with traditional activities for enhancing their health-related fitness components [38]. This evidence suggested that those games are an appropriate means for enhancing children's executive functions transiently.…”

“…However, very little is known regarding the effects of cognitively challenging physical activity games on motivational variables. Some preliminary evidence has suggested that these games can have positive effects on children's situational interests [37,38]. Expanding this research, the present study examined the effects of the intervention on children's motivational regulations for participating in physical education.…”

“…Thus, this study examined the effectiveness of an intervention with cognitively challenging physical activity games on triggering school children's executive functions. Preliminary evidence regarding the acute effects of cognitively challenging physical activity games on school children's executive functions has been reported [36][37][38]. However, further evidence from longer applications regarding the effects of these games is warranted.…”