Acute exercise enhances preschoolers’ ability to sustain attention

         

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Stone Hearth

News J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2013 Aug;35(4):433-7.

 Acute exercise enhances preschoolers’ ability to sustain attention.

Palmer KK, Miller MW, Robinson LE. Source: School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.

Abstract

 A growing body of research has illuminated beneficial effects of a single bout of physical activity (i.e., acute exercise) on cognitive function in school-age children.

 However, the influence of acute exercise on preschoolers’ cognitive function has not been reported.

To address this shortcoming, the current study examined the effects of a 30-min bout of exercise on preschoolers’ cognitive function. Preschoolers’ cognitive function was assessed following a single bout of exercise and a single sedentary period.

Results revealed that, after engaging in a bout of exercise, preschoolers exhibited markedly better ability to sustain attention, relative to after being sedentary (p = .006, partial eta square = .400).

Based on these findings, providing exercise opportunities appears to enhance preschoolers’ cognitive function.

 Source - See more at: http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/acute-exercise-enhances-preschoolers-ability-to-sustain-attention/adhd/#sthash.rbzkVXrr.dpuf