The aim of this study was to explore the effects of preschooler PA in two separate environments (indoor/outdoor) on measures of executive functions in preschoolers. Eighteen preschool-age (3–5 years) children were recruited for the study. Participants of the study wore an accelerometer for 30 min during indoor classroom-based activities and 30 min during outdoor PA. Pre and post inhibitory control and simple reaction time assessments were completed for each condition, for a total of four assessments for each participant. One assessment of the inhibitory control task (Arrows) resulted in a significant interaction of time x condition, F(1,16) = 3.42, p = .08, partial η2 = 0.18. These results indicate that performance improved in response to outdoor PA, but declined in response to indoor classroom activities. This research suggests that outdoor PA may result in cognitive benefits that are not observed following indoor classroom activities on one assessment of inhibitory control. Providing more scheduled time for PA for preschoolers is recommended for these reasons. (author abstract)
A comparison of the effects of outdoor physical activity and indoor classroom-based activities on measures of executive function in preschoolers
Description:
Resource Type:
Reports & Papers
Country:
United States
- You May Also Like
These resources share similarities with the current selection.
Accelerometer measured level of physical activity indoors and outdoors during preschool time in Sweden and the United States
Reports & Papers
Break for physical activity: Incorporating classroom-based physical activity breaks into preschools
Reports & Papers
The effect of outdoor activity context on physical activity in preschool children
Reports & Papers