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Owen KB, Foley BC, Smith BJ, Manera KE, Corbett L, Lim M, Phongsavan P, Qualter P, Ding D, Clare PJ. Sport Participation for Academic Success: Evidence From the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. J Phys Act Health 2024; 21:238-246. [PMID: 38141604 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to identify long-term patterns of sport participation (overall, team, and individual sport) from childhood into adolescence, and to examine the association between these patterns and academic outcomes. METHODS This cohort study used data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children in wave 3 (4-5 y) to wave 9 (20-21 y). The participants were a nationally representative sample of 4241 children. We conducted latent class analyses to identify sport participation trajectories and assessed the association between these trajectories and academic outcomes. RESULTS Continued sport participation was associated with lower odds of being absent from school (OR = 0.44; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.26 to 0.74), better performance on attention (B = -0.010; 95% CIs, -0.019 to -0.002) and working memory (B = -0.013; 95% CIs, -0.023 to -0.003), higher numeracy (B = 20.21; 95% CIs, 14.56 to 25.86) and literacy scores (B = 9.42; 95% CIs, 2.82 to 16.02), higher end of school academic performance (B = 3.28; 95% CIs, 1.47 to 5.09), and higher odds of studying at university (OR = 1.78; 95% CIs, 1.32 to 2.40). Team sport participation was associated with reduced absenteeism, better performance on attention and working memory, and being awarded the Higher School Certificate. Whereas individual sport participation was associated with higher literacy scores and end of school academic performance. CONCLUSIONS Team and individual sport participation both benefit academic outcomes, but differently. Given the decline in sport participation during adolescence, these findings highlight the need to develop educational policies to establish an environment that promotes sport participation, which in turn could improve academic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B Owen
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bridget C Foley
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben J Smith
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Karine E Manera
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lucy Corbett
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Lim
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Philayrath Phongsavan
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Pamela Qualter
- Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ding Ding
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Philip J Clare
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Zhou Y, Tolmie A. Associations between Gross and Fine Motor Skills, Physical Activity, Executive Function, and Academic Achievement: Longitudinal Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:121. [PMID: 38391696 PMCID: PMC10887312 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence from behavioral studies and neuroscience suggests that motor and cognitive development are intrinsically intertwined. To explore the underlying mechanisms of this motor-cognition link, our study examined the longitudinal relationship of early motor skills and physical activity with later cognitive skills. The sample was 3188 children from the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study, followed at 9 months and 5, 7, and 11 years. Early motor skills were examined at 9 months. Children's daily physical activity level was measured using accelerometers at 7 years and a questionnaire was conducted at 11 years. Cognitive skills, including executive function and academic achievement, were measured at age 11. The results suggest that gross motor skills were positively associated with spatial working memory, whereas fine motor skills were predictive of good English and science outcomes. Moderate-to-vigorous activity was found to be negatively associated with English performance, although self-reported activity frequency was positively linked to math. Our results highlight the significant role of both gross and fine motor skills in cognitive development. This study also elucidates the limitations of using activity intensity to assess the impact of motor activity on children's cognitive development, suggesting that attention to the effects of specific types of physical activity would better elucidate the motor/cognition link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Zhou
- Motor-Executive Control Interaction Lab, Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Andrew Tolmie
- Motor-Executive Control Interaction Lab, Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Kuroda Y, Ishihara T, Kamijo K. Balancing academics and athletics: School-level athletes' results are positively associated with their academic performance. Trends Neurosci Educ 2023; 33:100210. [PMID: 38049288 DOI: 10.1016/j.tine.2023.100210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using data from a nationwide high-school sample, the present study aimed to examine whether school-level athletes' sporting results are positively or negatively associated with their academic performance. METHODS Athletic performance was assessed using the results of spring and summer regional qualifying interschool tennis tournaments in Japan among both male and female tournaments across all prefectures in Japan. Academic performance was assessed using the standardized rank scores for academic performance at the school level, with higher scores denoting superior academic levels; this is the most common measure of academic performance in Japanese high schools. Linear mixed models were conducted to compare the academic performance of high schools with winning and losing records, respectively, for all games together and for the spring and summer tournaments separately. The results of a total of 4,870 games were analyzed. RESULTS High schools with winning records showed a significantly higher academic-performance score than those with losing records, and this association was stronger among boys than girls. The observed difference in academic-performance scores between the schools with winning and losing records, respectively, was replicated in both tournament settings (i.e., spring and summer). CONCLUSIONS Athletic results are positively associated with academic performance at the school level. Given the cross-sectional nature of the present study, the present results do not necessarily imply that sports participation can improve academic performance; rather, the present study suggests that balancing academic and athletic commitments is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Kuroda
- Department of Sport Education, Hokusho University, Ebetsu, Japan.
| | - Toru Ishihara
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Keita Kamijo
- Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chukyo University, Nagoya, Japan
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Naveed S, Sallinen T, Eloranta AM, Skog H, Jalkanen H, Brage S, Ekelund U, Pentikäinen H, Savonen K, Lakka TA, Haapala EA. Effects of 2-year dietary and physical activity intervention on cognition in children-a nonrandomized controlled trial. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2023; 33:2340-2350. [PMID: 37555467 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of a combined dietary and PA intervention on cognition in children and whether changes in diet quality, PA, sedentary behavior (SB), and sedentary time (ST) are associated with changes in cognition. METHODS We conducted a 2-year nonrandomized controlled trial in 504 children aged 6-9 years at baseline. The children were allocated to a combined dietary and PA intervention group (n = 237) or a control group (n = 160) without blinding. INTERVENTIONS The children and their parents allocated to the intervention group had six dietary counseling sessions of 30-45 min and six PA counseling sessions of 30-45 min during the 2-year intervention period. The children were also encouraged to participate in after-school exercise clubs. Cognition was assessed by the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices. We assessed dietary factors by 4 days food records and computed the Baltic Sea Diet Score (BSDS) as a measure of diet quality. PA and ST were assessed by a combined heart rate and body movement monitor, types of PA and SB by a questionnaire. RESULTS The intervention had no effect on cognition. Increased BSDS and consumption of low-fat milk and decreased consumption of red meat and sausages were associated with improved cognition over 2 years. Increased organized sports, ST, and reading were positively, while unsupervised PA, computer use, and writing were negatively associated with cognition. CONCLUSION Combined dietary and PA intervention had no effect on cognition. Improved diet quality and increased organized sports and reading were associated with improved cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehrish Naveed
- Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Taisa Sallinen
- Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- University of Eastern Finland Library Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Aino-Maija Eloranta
- Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hannamari Skog
- Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Henna Jalkanen
- Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Soren Brage
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ulf Ekelund
- Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH), Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Kai Savonen
- Kuopio Research Institute of Exercise Medicine, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Timo A Lakka
- Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Kuopio Research Institute of Exercise Medicine, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eero A Haapala
- Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Haapala EA, Widlund A, Poikkeus AM, Lima RA, Brage S, Aunio P, Lakka TA. Cross-Lagged Associations between Physical Activity, Motor Performance, and Academic Skills in Primary School Children. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:1465-1470. [PMID: 36897825 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Few longitudinal studies have investigated the interwoven longitudinal dynamics between physical activity (PA), motor performance, and academic skills in middle childhood. Therefore, we investigated the cross-lagged associations between PA, motor performance, and academic skills from grade 1 to grade 3 in Finnish primary school children. METHODS A total of 189 children 6-9 yr old at baseline comprised the study sample. Total PA was assessed using a questionnaire filled out by parents, moderate-to-vigorous PA by combined heart rate and body movement monitor, motor performance by 10 × 5-m shuttle run test, and academic skills by arithmetic fluency and reading comprehension tests in grade 1 and grade 3. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling adjusted for gender, parental education, and household income. RESULTS The final model fitted the data very well ( χ237 = 68.516, P = 0.0012, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.067, comparative fit index = 0.95, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.89) and explained 91% of variance in the latent academic skills variable, 41% of the variance in the latent PA variable, and 32% of variance in motor performance in grade 3. Better motor performance in grade 1 was associated with higher academic skills in grade 3, but it did not predict PA. PA was not directly or indirectly associated with academic skills. However, higher levels of PA in grade 1 predicted better motor performance in grade 3. Academic skills did not predict PA or motor performance. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that better motor performance, but not PA, predicts later academic skills. Academic skills in grade 1 do not contribute to PA or motor performance in the early school years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna-Maija Poikkeus
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FINLAND
| | | | - Soren Brage
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM
| | - Pirjo Aunio
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FINLAND
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Salonna F, Vorlíček M, Rubín L, Vašíčková J, Mitáš J. How Czech Adolescents Perceive Their Physical Activity. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1134. [PMID: 37508631 PMCID: PMC10378483 DOI: 10.3390/children10071134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical stage in the development of an individual's physical activity (PA) habits and preferences. Adolescents' perceptions of PA can influence their motivation to engage in PA and, consequently, their overall level of PA. Thus, our primary aim was to investigate whether Czech adolescents misperceive their peers' PA. Our dataset comprised cross-sectional data on 1289 adolescents aged 11-15 years. PA was measured using self-reported items used in the HBSC study. To describe the gender and school grade differences in VPA, independent samples T, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were performed. To analyze the effect of gender, school grade, school, and participants' own PA on the underestimation of PA, binomial regression models were used. Our study points out that there is a discrepancy between self-perceived levels of PA and the perceived descriptive norms of peers' PA. Adolescents underestimate the prevalence of sufficient PA, and thus perceived descriptive norms in PA as being worse than levels of own PA. These findings indicate room for targeted interventions based on social-norms-based approaches to increase the PA of adolescents or at least strengthen their actual positive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Salonna
- Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Vorlíček
- Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Rubín
- Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education, Technical University of Liberec, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Vašíčková
- Department of Social Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Mitáš
- Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Al-Haifi AR, Al-Awadhi BA, Bumaryoum NY, Alajmi FA, Ashkanani RH, Al-Hazzaa HM. The association between academic performance indicators and lifestyle behaviors among Kuwaiti college students. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2023; 42:27. [PMID: 37016438 PMCID: PMC10071657 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-023-00370-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lifestyle behaviors are developed during young adulthood and carried through life. Accordingly, early detection of unhealthy behaviors can help prevent the increase in non-communicable diseases in the population. College students are an especially vulnerable group who, upon entering a new environment, tend to engage in unhealthy behaviors. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to evaluate the lifestyle behaviors of Kuwaiti college students and their association with markers of academic achievements. METHODS One thousand two hundred fifty-nine students participated in the present study and answered an online questionnaire pertaining to their sociodemographic status, academic performance indicators, body weight and height, and lifestyle behaviors. Data were collected from November 2020 to February 2021. RESULTS Results of the present study showed that obesity was significantly more prevalent among male participants than among females even though males were more physically active. Alternatively, females had a greater grade point average in college, slept more, and had more screen time. Interestingly, we were unable to detect a significant correlation between lifestyle behaviors and academic achievements. CONCLUSION The observed differences in body mass index between genders may have been attributed to energy intake rather than energy expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad R Al-Haifi
- Department of Food and Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, PAAET, Showaikh, Kuwait.
| | - Balqees A Al-Awadhi
- Department of Food and Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, PAAET, Showaikh, Kuwait
| | - Nayef Y Bumaryoum
- Department of Food and Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, PAAET, Showaikh, Kuwait
| | - Fahhad A Alajmi
- Department of Food and Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, PAAET, Showaikh, Kuwait
| | - Rasha H Ashkanani
- Department of Home Economics, Basic Education Collage, PAAET, Showaikh, Kuwait
| | - Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa
- Lifestyle and Health Research Center, Health Sciences Research Center, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Zhang Y, Yan J, Jin X, Yang H, Zhang Y, Ma H, Ma R. Sports Participation and Academic Performance in Primary School: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3678. [PMID: 36834372 PMCID: PMC9961712 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that the effect of sports participation on student health and academic performance is significant. However, the relationship between sports participation and academic performance in specific subjects (e.g., English) in the Chinese population is not clear, especially in primary schools. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between sports participation and academic performance in Chinese elementary schools. METHODS All study participants were asked to self-report their sociodemographic factors (e.g., sex, grade, age), independence, and outcomes. Alongside that, a self-reported questionnaire was used to assess participation in sports and academic performance of three core subjects in China's schooling system (Chinese; math; English; from A to F, with A indicating the best academic performance). An ordered logistic regression, with an odds ratio (OR) at 95%CI confidence interval, was performed to examine the association between sports team participation and academic performance. RESULTS The final analysis included 27,954 children aged 10-14. Children in the fifth and sixth grades accounted for 50.2% and 49.8%. Chinese, math, and English academic performance were positively correlated with participation in sports. Compared with students who never participate in sports, those students who participate in sports 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 or more times a week, were more likely to achieve better grades. In terms of math, compared with students who never participate in sports, those students who participate in sports 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 or more times a week, were more likely to achieve better grades. Regarding English, compared with students who never participate in sports, those students who participate in sports 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 or more times a week, were more likely to achieve better grades. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with previous studies, the current study confirms the positive effect of sports participation on children's academic performance. For an academic-related outreach, gender-, grade- and area-specific strategies should be considered in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhang
- Institute of Sports and Health, Zhengzhou Shengda University, Zhengzhou 451191, China
| | - Jin Yan
- Centre for Active Living and Learning, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Xiao Jin
- Department of Physical Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Hongying Yang
- Library of Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Huijun Ma
- School of Physical Education, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Rui Ma
- Postdoctoral Research Station in Public Administration, School of Physical Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Griffiths K, Davies L, Savage C, Shelling M, Dalziel P, Christy E, Thorby R. The Value of Recreational Physical Activity in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Scoping Review of Evidence and Implications for Social Value Measurement. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2906. [PMID: 36833603 PMCID: PMC9958888 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Internationally, there is rising interest in measuring the value of sport and physical activity to society. A critical step in valuing the sector is first establishing the relationship between engagement in sport and physical activity and the societal outcomes that ensue. This paper summarises the findings of a literature review carried out as part of a larger study on the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of recreational physical activity in Aotearoa New Zealand. The review aimed to synthesise existing evidence on the relationship between recreational physical activity and wellbeing outcomes for all New Zealanders, including tangata whenua (Māori, who are Aotearoa New Zealand's Indigenous population). The methodology took the format of a scoping review and included a series of searches for academic and grey literature, including literature concerning Māori that might have been overlooked in a traditional academic search. The findings are grouped into five outcome areas: physical health; subjective wellbeing; individual development; personal behaviour; and social and community development. The review found some compelling evidence which shows examples of the links between sport and physical activity and outcomes in each of these areas for specific population sub-groups. In particular, for Māori, the findings demonstrate a strong impact on social and community development through building social capital and enhancing cultural identity. However, in all outcome areas, there is mixed quality evidence, a small amount of evidence on which to base definitive conclusions, and limited evidence relating to the monetary value of outcomes. The review concludes that there is a need for further research to strengthen the evidence base for social impact measurement, particularly around the impact of sport and physical activity for indigenous populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Griffiths
- Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
| | - Larissa Davies
- Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
| | - Catherine Savage
- Ihi Research, 518 Colombo Street, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
| | | | - Paul Dalziel
- Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth Christy
- Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
| | - Rebecca Thorby
- Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, P.O. Box 2251, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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Masini A, Sanmarchi F, Kawalec A, Esposito F, Scrimaglia S, Tessari A, Scheier LM, Sacchetti R, Dallolio L. Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and family characteristics associated with cognitive performance in Italian primary school children: analysis of the I-MOVE project. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:917-927. [PMID: 36525096 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-022-04756-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Working memory (WM) is a multicomponent system that supports cognitive functioning. It has been linked to a wide variety of outcomes including academic success and general well-being. The present study examined the relations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and WM among Italian children, adjusting for important parent characteristics and children's lifestyle habits. Data for this study was obtained from 106 children attending primary school in Imola (Italy) who were part of the I-MOVE study emphasizing school-based physical activity. Children's adherence to the MD was calculated using the KIDMED index (KI) based on the ZOOM-8 questionnaire. Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed using an actigraph accelerometer and WM using the backward digit span test. Univariate regression was used to select significant child-level and family measures associated with WM, which were then tested in a single multivariate regression model. Older age is positively associated with higher WM (β = 0.36; 95% CI 0.25, 0.47). Dietary adherence (KI) (β = 0.07; 95% CI 0.01, 0.14) and engagement in organized PA outside school hours (β = 0.58; 95% CI 0.09, 1.10) are positively related to WM. Among the family measures, father's education was positively associated with WM for high school education and for university vs. middle school or lower, respectively. CONCLUSION Adherence to the MD was associated with better WM capacity in primary school children. These findings can be used to guide policymakers in designing health promotion programs and instituting policies emphasizing healthy nutrition to improve physical health and boost cognitive functioning. WHAT IS KNOWN • The development of working memory involves the entire childhood with a rapid spurt between 2 and 8 years of age. • Working memory plays a critical role in children's learning and academic performance and underlies higher-order cognitive abilities. WHAT IS NEW • Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was associated with higher working memory capacity in primary school children. • Health promotion interventions based on PA and sound nutrition involving children benefit not only physical and mental health, but also cognitive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Masini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Sanmarchi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Kawalec
- Department and Clinic of Paediatric Nephrology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Francesco Esposito
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Susan Scrimaglia
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Tessari
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lawrence M Scheier
- LARS Research Institute, Inc., Sun City, AZ, USA
- Prevention Strategies, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Rossella Sacchetti
- Department of Education Studies "Giovanni Maria Bertin", Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Dallolio
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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A Sustainable Swedish School Intervention with Extra Aerobic Exercise—Its Organization and Effects on Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14052822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A large majority of Swedish children do not reach the recommended daily activity level. Some, but not all, studies show that extra physical activity may have positive effects on children’s school performance, physical fitness and health. The present purpose was to offer pupils from the 7th to the 8th grade extra aerobic exercise led by physical education teachers and to evaluate the effects on aerobic fitness, muscle strength, school grades and health. The hypothesis was that extra aerobic exercise would improve physical fitness, school grades and health. In the two-year project, 122 pupils aged 13–14 years from three schools constituted an aerobic group with 30 min extra exercise sessions (≥70% maximal heart rate) twice weekly. A control group of 26 pupils was included. All 148 pupils also had regular 60 min physical education lessons (2/week). A moderate to large significant effect size (via partial eta-squared) of the interaction effect for the aerobic group compared to the control group over time was generally seen for aerobic fitness, the muscle strength test with push-ups, school grades in Swedish, English and physical education, and in average school grade for four school subjects combined, thus also including mathematics. Within the aerobic group, significant improvements were also shown for aerobic fitness, endurance and strength of abdominal and leg muscles, and the total physical test index during the two-year project. The control group showed no corresponding improvement in these parameters. Improvements in school grades were generally seen among both sexes in the aerobic group, whereas improvements in physical capacity were distinctly more pronounced among boys and seldom among girls. A similar pattern with significant improvement in several school grades was noted in all three intervention schools, although one of the schools had a distinctly larger proportion of children who immigrated to Sweden. The aerobic group showed significantly higher ratings (with a small to moderate effect size) on several questions about physical self-perception than the control group at the end of the 8th grade. This teacher-led school intervention generated a sustainable project with improvements in physical fitness and school grades. The project might act as an inspiration for other schools to increase physical activity to improve physical fitness and possibly school grades.
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