Conduct methodologically comparable experimental studies of acute PA and attention in school settings¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 6 claims (6 for) · 1 study (1 review), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 6 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The review's central recommendation is that future research should strengthen the thin evidence base by conducting experimental studies with comparable methodology, especially in schools. It states "more methodologically comparable studies in the school setting are needed to strengthen this evidence" and calls for a robust knowledge base on bout duration, intensity, and school-based attention measurement. This directs researchers rather than teachers.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Studies must use comparable methodology for sample, design, and attention measurement to allow pooling

Constraints¶

• Laboratory results have limited generalizability to the school setting; no meta-analysis was possible even for laboratory studies

Target Learners¶

• children aged 4-18 in school settings

Target Learning Goals¶

• attention as a mediator of cognition and academic achievement

Claims¶

• Evidence for effects of acute bouts of physical activity on children's attention is weak and inconclusive [+W]
• Age may moderate acute PA effects on attention: effects appeared for 9–10 year olds but not 7–8 year olds [+W]
• Type of PA may moderate acute effects: coordinative exercises outperformed a normal PE lesson of the same intensity [+W]
• Classroom energizers improved on-task behaviour, but PA during a classroom task showed no improvement [+W]
• Five of six laboratory studies found significant effects of acute PA on cognitive control of attention, mainly on accuracy not reaction time [+W]
• Duration and intensity of PA bouts may moderate attention effects, consistent with an inverted-U hypothesis [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Research and training programs should differentiate age periods, sporting disciplines, and compare physically active with cognitively active groups
• Use large samples, true experimental designs, and moderate treatment durations when evaluating SRL scaffolds

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Janssen M, Toussaint HM, van Mechelen W, Verhagen EALM. (2014). Effects of acute bouts of physical activity on children's attention: a systematic review of the literature. SpringerPlus. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-3-410