The Effect of Acute Exercise on Attentional Processes in Typically Developing Children and Youth
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Date
2014-09
Authors
Higginbotham, Dana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
Previous research has found that a variety of exercise interventions result in improved neurocognitive functioning and attention in typically developing and clinical populations. This was a preliminary study to examine whether an acute exercise intervention (i.e., 30 minutes of vigorously intense cardiovascular exercise) improves attention, as measured by the Test of Everyday Attention in Children (TEA-Ch). It was hypothesized that there would be differential improvements across various attentional processes (i.e., selective attention, divided attention, sustained attention, attentional control/switching). Results indicate that the exercise intervention lead to significant for attentional control/switching. This study adds to previous research by giving a more thorough examination of how an exercise intervention impacts various attentional processes. Findings support recommendations to use exercise interventions, alone or in combinations with other supports, to reduce inattention at home and in the classroom.
Description
Keywords
Exercise intervention , Children - physical activity