ABSTRACT
Physical activity seems to show positive effects on selective attention. Active breaks seem to be a strategy to implement in schools to improve the selective attention of schoolchildren. The current literature does not conclude with which type, duration and intensity of physical activity the greatest effects on attention are achieved. The aim of this study was to analyse the acute effects of active breaks on selective attention. It was carried out using a quantitative methodology and pre-post design with no control group. Seventy-five schoolchildren between 10 and 12 years of age participated, distributed among three experimental conditions. The d2 test was used before and after the break to measure selective attention. The first experimental group took a passive break based on reading, the second an active break based on moderate-intensity intervallic physical activity and the third group an active break based on high-intensity intervallic physical activity. The breaks took place inside the classrooms. A significant improvement was shown for the group that performed the high-intensity intervalic active rest compared to the other two groups. In conclusion, high-intensity active breaks could be a viable strategy to favour the improvement of selective attention.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Education, Primary and Secondary , Cognition , Motor Activity , Attentional Bias , Rest , 24960 , Sports , Psychology, SportsABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN: se evidencia un aumento cada vez mayor de la preocupación debido a valores alarmantes en condición física y composición corporal, que sitúan a los escolares en unos parámetros de riesgo en lo relativo a la salud física. Numerosas investigaciones relacionan la actividad física con la mejora en la condición física y la composición corporal. OBJETIVO: analizar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio interválico de intensidad moderada-vigorosa sobre indicadores de condición física (fuerza isométrica manual en ambas manos, fuerza explosiva del tren inferior, velocidad-agilidad y capacidad aeróbica) y de composición corporal (índice de masa corporal, % de grasa corporal, perímetro de cintura e índice cintura/altura), referentes todos ellos para la salud en escolares de 11 y 12 años. MÉTODOS: se desarrolla una intervención en la que participó un grupo experimental y otro control con 28 escolares cada uno de ellos. Transcurrió a lo largo de 7 semanas, con sesiones de 30 minutos totales antes del inicio de la actividad académica, 3 días por semana. Se realizaron diferentes juegos interválicos, con una intensidad moderada-vigorosa (70-80 % de la frecuencia cardíaca máxima). El registro en condición física y composición corporal se realizó a través de la batería ALPHA. RESULTADOS: mejoras significativas en fuerza isométrica con ambas manos y una reducción significativa del perímetro de cintura e índice cintura/altura. CONCLUSIÓN: los resultados muestran mejoras significativas en indicadores de condición física y composición corporal; sin embargo, se precisa de una intervención de mayor duración para conocer si las otras mejoras logradas en los indicadores analizados consiguen ser significativas con el transcurso del tiempo
INTRODUCTION: there is growing evidence of concern for values in terms of physical condition and body composition that place school children being at risk in physical health. Numerous investigations relate physical activity with improvement in physical condition and body composition. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the effects of a sub-maximal intensity interval exercise program on physical condition (upper body isometric strength in both hands, lower body explosive strength, velocity-agility and cardiorespiratory fitness) and body composition (body mass index, % of body fat, waist circumference and waist/height index), all of them related to health, in schoolchildren of 11 and 12 years. METHODS: an intervention was developed in which an experimental group participated and another control group with 28 schoolchildren each. The study developped over 8 weeks, with sessions of total 30 minutes before the start of the academic activity 3 days per week. Different intervallic games were made with motor, cognitive and coordination challenges; with a moderate-vigorous intensity (70 %-80 % of maximum heart rate). The registration in physical condition and body composition was made through the ALPHA Battery. RESULTS: significant improvements in isometric strength in both hands and a reduction in waist circumference and waist/height were found. CONCLUSIONS: the results show significant improvements in indicators of fitness and fatness, however, it requires a long-term intervention to know if the other improvements achieved in the analyzed indicators are significant over time
