Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewThe association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance: a systematic review of the literature.
The purpose of this review is to synthesize the scientific literature that has examined the association between school-based physical activity (including physical education) and academic performance (including indicators of cognitive skills and attitudes, academic behaviors, and academic achievement). ⋯ Results suggest physical activity is either positively related to academic performance or that there is not a demonstrated relationship between physical activity and academic performance. Results have important implications for both policy and schools.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewClassroom-based physical activity, cognition, and academic achievement.
There is increasing evidence for the association between physical activity, cardiovascular fitness, fatness, and cognitive function during childhood and adolescence. Evidence also suggests that these variables are linked to academic achievement. Classroom-based physical activity provides a viable approach to improve fitness, body mass index (BMI), cognitive function, and ultimately academic achievement. ⋯ Future research examining the effects of physically active academic instruction is warranted. The impact of physically active academic lessons of greater intensity may provide larger benefits for body mass index and academic achievement.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewImpact of short bouts of physical activity on attention-to-task in elementary school children.
The study's objective was to describe the measurement of on-task behavior and review the research on the effects of short physical activity breaks on attention-to-task in elementary school students, with a particular focus on a promising approach to improving on-task behavior with short bouts of physical activity in the classroom setting. ⋯ Attention-to-task is a variable that directly relates to concerns of classroom teachers. The limited available research has demonstrated moderate to good evidence that physical activity during the school day improves attention-to-task in elementary school students. Because of the positive effects of physical activity on attention-to-task, it is recommended that elementary school teachers consider implementing physical activity sessions throughout the school day in the form of recess and classroom-based physical activities.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialFIT Kids: Time in target heart zone and cognitive performance.
This present study examined time spent in the target heart zone (THZ) and its relationship to tasks requiring variable amounts of executive control function in prepubescent children participating in a 9-month randomized controlled physical activity program. ⋯ These results suggest that heart rate, as a measure of physical activity intensity, should be closely monitored during research that is intended to make inferences about its effects on cognitive performance as participation in vigorous activities may have specific benefits over lower intensities among prepubescent children.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
Temporal trends and correlates of passive commuting to and from school in children from 9 provinces in China.
To examine trends and correlates of passive (inactive) commuting to school among Chinese children aged 6-18 years in nine provinces. ⋯ Passive commuting to school increased in China over a decade and was associated with family socioeconomic status, school location, and in rural children, with access to motorized vehicles.