Classroom-based physical activity improves children’s math achievement:A randomized controlled trial

This RCT investigated the effect on children of integrating physical activity (PA) into math lessons. The primary outcome was math achievement and the secondary outcomes were executive functions, fitness and body mass index. Twelve Danish schools were randomized to either an intervention group or a control group. A total of 505 children with mean age 7.2 ± 0.3 years were enrolled in the study. Change in math achievement was measured by a 45-minute standardized math test, change in executive function by a modified Eriksen flanker task, aerobic fitness by the Andersen intermittent shuttle-run test, and body mass index by standard procedures. PA during the math lessons and total PA (including time spent outside school) were assessed using accelerometry (ActiGraph, GT3X and GT3X+). Children in the intervention group improved their math score by 1.2 (95% CI 0.3; 2.1) more than the control group (p = 0.011) and had a tendency towards a higher change in physical activity level during math lessons of 120,4 counts/min (95% CI -9.0;249.8.2, p = 0.067). However, the intervention did not affect executive functions, fitness or body mass index. Participation in a 9-month PA intervention (from 2012–2013) improved math achievement among elementary school children. If replicated, these findings would suggest that implementation of physical activity in school settings could lead to higher academic achievement.</div

Om at indfange et komplekst fænomen kvantitativt

Hvordan kan man skabe generel viden om undervisernes undervisningspraksis og deres opfattelse af god undervisning på professionshøjskolernes pædagog- og læreruddannelser? Det var opgaven i et forskningsprojekt, der var et led i Playful Learning, Research Extension. I denne artikel præsenterer vi vejen fra overordnet spørgsmål til endeligt spørgeskema og diskuterer de udfordringer, som det giver at afdække et komplekst fænomen i en kompleks praksis med kvantitative metoder.  Artiklen har relevans både som specifik udforskning af fænomenet Playful Learning, men kan også læses som en mere generel diskussion af anvendelsen af kvantitative metoder til at opnå generel viden om komplekse fænomener. Nøgleord: Playful Learning, kvantitativ metode, udvikling af spørgeskema, undervisningspraksis, legende tilgange, evaluering

The Effect of Leisure Time Sport on Executive Functions in Danish 1st Grade Children

Physical inactivity can influence children’s executive functions with severe impact on wellbeing and academic learning. The objective is to study the effect of leisure time sport on executive functions in Danish 1st grade children, and secondary to explore if socio-economy is a confounder for associations between leisure time sport and executive functions. This study is a sub-study nested within a cluster-randomized controlled trial with two arms (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02488460). 505 children from twelve schools, mean age 7.2 ± 0.3 years participated. Outcomes for executive function were “Modified Eriksen Flanker/Reverse Flanker Task” and “Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function” (BRIEF-P). Parents used SMS-tracking to register their children’s leisure time sport. Multivariate analyzes was performed using mixed linear regression, with adjustment for highest parental education, sex, municipality, and school-type. We found that leisure time sport seems to significantly improve working memory (WM) with nearly 20%, and furthermore it seems to be a significant predictor of ‘Initiate’ (the ability to begin an activity, to generate ideas, responses or problem-solving strategies). Socio-economy was not found to be a confounder. This study lends support to the hypothesis that leisure time sport is related to working memory capacity in children

Características e resposta hidrológica de pequenas bacias com lameiros do NE Portugal

Os lameiros são prados permanentes seminaturais com elevado valor ecológico, mas também paisagístico e produtivo no contexto das zonas de montanha do NE Portugal, onde ocupam faixas estreitas ao longo dos talvegues da rede hidrográfica natural. Este trabalho tem como objetivo comparar as características determinantes da resposta hidrológica de pequenas bacias com lameiros apresentando condições geomorfológicas e de uso distintas. Na área de estudo (zona da Alta Lombada e Onor, Parque Natural de Montesinho, NE de Portugal), foram selecionadas 16 pequenas bacias com lameiros no seu setor terminal a jusante, classificadas em 4 categorias (4 bacias por categoria) de acordo com o cruzamento dos critérios: (i) presença ou ausência de linha de água permanente; (ii) situação de uso ou de abandono da atividade agropecuária. Foram determinadas características geométricas, sistema de drenagem, relevo, litologia, pedologia e uso e ocupação do solo em cada bacia utilizando o software ArcGIS para tratar bases de dados georreferenciadas de livre acesso. A área de drenagem das 16 pequenas bacias selecionadas é inferior a 16 km2, verificandose que as bacias com rio (linha de água permanente) são mais extensas, apresentando, por isso, maior acumulação de fluxo. As bacias com lameiros sem rio mostram tempo de concentração menor, o que pode ocasionar maior risco de cheia. No conjunto das bacias estudadas, verificou-se forte correlação positiva entre as variáveis área de drenagem, perímetro, comprimento do talvegue principal, comprimento total dos talvegues, ordem do curso de água, altitude máxima e altura média, sendo que todas estas características correlacionam negativamente com o índice de declive global da bacia. A análise de correlação permitiu ainda quantificar, para as variáveis estudadas, os limiares distintivos das bacias com rio e sem rio. Não se identificaram diferenças significativas entre bacias com lameiros em uso e abandonados quanto às características determinadas. Foi também realizada uma análise comparativa de frações da bacia relevantes para a interpretação da sua resposta hidrológica, distinguindo-se a fração a montante do lameiro, as encostas drenado diretamente para o lameiro, e o próprio lameiro. Neste, o declive é significativamente menor do que nas restantes frações da bacia e, pelo contrário, o comprimento e a acumulação do fluxo são muito mais elevados. Estas últimas variáveis são significativamente maiores nas bacias com lameiros com rio do nas sem rio. As condições topográficas e de fluxo superficial das frações da bacia ocupadas por lameiros indicam que estes correspondem às zonas de maior acumulação de água dentro da bacia, portanto com maior risco de inundação em situação de cheia. Em contrapartida, para os trechos a jusante do mesmo talvegue, os lameiros acabam atuando como barreiras de contenção de água e de sedimentos, diminuindo o risco de cheia e de erosão nos segmentos da rede hidrográfica a jusante.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Randomized Trial of a Swimming-Based Alternative Treatment for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental childhood disorder extending from ages 1&ndash;2 to 12&ndash;13, associated with impairment across multiple domains, including social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Little is known about alternative treatments for this disorder. Interest has grown in physical activity as a potential intervention for rehabilitating children with ADHD. This study aimed to investigate the impact of adapted swimming activity on cognitive functions, academic performance, and related behavior of Tunisian children with ADHD. The study was conducted on school children aged 9 to 12 years (n = 40, 5 female and 35 male) diagnosed with ADHD. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (exercise intervention) or the control group. The Hayling test was used to assess cognitive performance, the Children Behavior Check List (CBCL) was used to assess ADHD-related behavior, and the change in reading and numeracy proficiency was assessed pre- and post-intervention. After 12 weeks of the intervention, the results revealed that there were significant improvements in behavior (p &lt; 0.001), inhibition process (p &lt; 0.001), and academic performance (p &lt; 0.001) in the experimental group compared with the control group. These findings suggest that adapted swimming activity may have positive implications for cognitive function, behavior, and academic performance. This research may provide preliminary support for alternative therapeutic interventions that could be used by practitioners. Moreover, the results support active practice of recreational physical activities as a strategy to support children in overcoming ADHD deficiencies

A randomized trial of a swimming-based alternative treatment for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental childhood disorder extending from ages 1–2 to 12–13, associated with impairment across multiple domains, including social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Little is known about alternative treatments for this disorder. Interest has grown in physical activity as a potential intervention for rehabilitating children with ADHD. This study aimed to investigate the impact of adapted swimming activity on cognitive functions, academic performance, and related behavior of Tunisian children with ADHD. The study was conducted on school children aged 9 to 12 years (n = 40, 5 female and 35 male) diagnosed with ADHD. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (exercise intervention) or the control group. The Hayling test was used to assess cognitive performance, the Children Behavior Check List (CBCL) was used to assess ADHD-related behavior, and the change in reading and numeracy proficiency was assessed pre- and post-intervention. After 12 weeks of the intervention, the results revealed that there were significant improvements in behavior (p \u3c 0.001), inhibition process (p \u3c 0.001), and academic performance (p \u3c 0.001) in the experimental group compared with the control group. These findings suggest that adapted swimming activity may have positive implications for cognitive function, behavior, and academic performance. This research may provide preliminary support for alternative therapeutic interventions that could be used by practitioners. Moreover, the results support active practice of recreational physical activities as a strategy to support children in overcoming ADHD deficiencies