Cross‐Sectional Association Between Level of School Sports and Different Cognitive Parameters in Schoolchildren, Considering Multiple Covariates. Issue 2 (12th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Drozdowska, Alina; Jendrusch, Gernot; Platen, Petra; Lücke, Thomas; Kersting, Mathilde; Sinningen, Kathrin
• Other Names: Kalra Prya guestEditor.; Richland Lindsey guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Mind, brain and education. Volume 16:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2022-04-12
• Subjects: Cognitive learning -- Periodicals; Education -- Research -- Periodicals; Developmental psychobiology -- Periodicals; Cognitive neuroscience -- Periodicals; Cognitive science -- Periodicals; Apprentissage cognitif -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Psychobiologie du développement -- Périodiques; Neurosciences cognitives -- Périodiques; Sciences cognitives -- Périodiques; 612.8233
• DOI: 10.1111/mbe.12321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-2271

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between specified levels of physical education (PE) at school and different parameters of cognition in boys and girls, considering potential covariates. Baseline data from a crossover nutrition intervention study were used for a secondary analysis of 247 schoolchildren (37% girls). Participants were children from the fifth and sixth grade with an "advanced" (5–6 hr) or "regular" (3 hr) level of PE a week, without random allocation. Using three computerized tasks, cognition data were collected under usual school conditions. An advanced level of PE at school was associated with better overall cognitive performance, specifically in response speed and accuracy when controlling for lunch conditions. Girls attending advanced‐PE classes showed the best performance. The potential covariates explained little about cognitive variability. Given the cognitive differences between boys and girls, future research is warranted to replicate these findings by measuring motor skills. LAY ABSTRACT: We investigated the association between specified levels of school sports and different cognitive parameters in children. A higher level of physical education (PE) was associated with faster reaction speeds and improved accuracy in attention and memory tasks after controlling for covariates. Boys responded faster than girls but were less accurate. Children with less PE were also less active outside of school. Promotion of school sports might be valuable for establishing favorable long‐term health behaviors.