Does Physical Activity Improve Cognition and Academic Performance in Children? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION: In the last decades, different studies have investigated the effects of exercise or physical activity (PA) on cognitive functions and academic performance in children and adolescents. But given the inconsistencies regarding methodologies and the fact that many studies do not have controlled or randomized designs, a more recent review is needed in order to summarize the different outcomes and methodologies employed and correlate them from an applied perspective. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present review is to systematically review and analyze the effects of acute and chronic PA interventions exclusively from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on cognitive functions and academic performance of children and adolescents. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases for all RCTs published between January 2014 and July 2020. Authors searched these databases using controlled vocabularies, keywords, and Boolean logic, and data were later extracted from the studies. Effect sizes were calculated based on means and SDs at posttest using Hedge's g formula. RESULTS: A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. They were assessed for eligibility and later included in the review. Although most of the articles did not show any robust effect size and had significant methodological differences, 80% of the studies analyzed showed positive results, indicating a significant impact of exercise or PA on cognition. DISCUSSION: Due to the heterogeneity in the design of the interventions and the variables analyzed, most of the studies showed small or medium effect sizes. Studies with big effect size in all variables had in common the fact that they involved team game variations and coordination activities. The combination of physical exertion (high intensity) and cognitive engagement with social interactions seems to have the strongest effect on executive functions. This ecological and attractive model reflects children's typical PA and might represent an ideal model for exercise in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Although grouping different studies based on PA type, control groups, and comparison treatments is a limitation and results should be interpreted with caution, this review suggests that PA interventions, in particular, team game variations and coordination activities, have positive effects on children's cognitive functions.

The Impact of Yoga Nidra and Seated Meditation on the Mental Health of College Professors.

BACKGROUND: World statistics for the prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders shows that a great number of individuals will experience some type of anxiety or mood disorder at some point in their lifetime. Mind-body interventions such as Hatha Yoga and seated meditation have been used as a form of self-help therapy and it is especially useful for challenging occupations such as teachers and professors. AIMS: In this investigation, we aimed at observing the impact of Yoga Nidra and seated meditation on the anxiety and depression levels of college professors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty college professors, men and women, aged between 30 and 55 years were randomly allocated in one of the three experimental groups: Yoga Nidra, seated meditation, and control group. Professors were evaluated two times throughout the 3-month study period. Psychological variables included anxiety, stress, and depression. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that the relaxation group presented better intragroup results in the anxiety levels. Meditation group presented better intragroup results only in the anxiety variable (physical component). Intergroup analysis showed that, except for the depression levels, both intervention groups presented better results than the control group in all other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Prepost results indicate that both interventions represent an effective therapeutic approach in reducing anxiety and stress levels. However, there was a tendency toward a greater effectiveness of the Yoga Nidra intervention regarding anxiety, which might represent an effective tool in reducing both cognitive and physiological symptoms of anxiety.

O efeito do yoga na redução da sintomatologia de pacientes com transtorno de pânico / The effect of yoga on reducing the symptoms of panic disorder patients

Introdução: Devido aos seus conhecidos efeitos no corpo e mente, o yoga tem sido alvo de investigações cientificas há décadas. A maioria dos estudos relacionados evidencia a efetividade destas técnicas no tratamento de transtornos mentais como ansiedade, pânico e depressão. O yoga tem sido considerado um método preventivo e seguro, capaz de representar grande economia para a saúde pública do país. Objetivos: o objetivo primário deste estudo foi observar a eficácia de técnicas de yoga no tratamento dos sintomas relacionados ao transtorno de pânico. Método: foram selecionados 17 sujeitos diagnosticados previamente com transtorno de pânico. Os sujeitos foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais: o grupo 1 participou de sessões de terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) e o grupo 2 participou de práticas de yoga. Os sujeitos foram avaliados duas vezes durante a pesquisa, no início e no final do tratamento, que durou dois meses. Os participantes foram avaliados através das seguintes escalas: Beck de Depressão e Beck de Ansiedade, Escala para Pânico e Agorafobia, Questionário de Crenças de Pânico, Escala de Sensações Corporais, Escala de Cognições Agorafóbicas, Inventário de Mobilidade, SWB-PANAS, SF-36 ­ Questionário de Qualidade de Vida e Escala Brasileira de Assertividade. Resultados: após análise estatística, os resultados mostraram significativa redução nos níveis de ansiedade, sensações corporais associadas ao pânico, número e intensidade dos ataques de pânico e melhora na qualidade de vida apenas dos sujeitos que freqüentaram as sessões de yoga terapia (grupo 2). Conclusão: Em acordo com os estudos atuais da literatura, a presente investigação observou melhora significativa dos sintomas relacionados ao pânico em pacientes que praticaram yoga. Conclui-se que esta prática milenar pode representar uma eficaz metodologia de tratamento dos transtornos de ansiedade, podendo ser utilizada sozinha ou incorporada à psicoterapia tradicional, trazendo benefícios emocionais, psicológicos e comportamentais para os pacientes.

EEG spectral coherence inter- and intrahemispheric during catching object fall task.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate coherence measures at Theta through qEEG during the accomplishment of a specific motor task. The sample consisted of 23 healthy individuals, both sexes, with ages varying between 25 and 40 years old. All subjects were submitted to a specific motor task of catching sequences of falling balls. A three-way ANOVA was employed for the statistical analysis, which demonstrated main effects for the following factors: time, block and position. However, there was no interaction between the factors. A significant and generalized coherence reduction was observed during the task execution time. Coherence was also diminished at the left frontal cortex and contralateral hemisphere of the utilizing limb (comparing to the right frontal cortex). In conclusion, these findings suggest a certain specialization of the neural circuit, also according to previous investigations. The inter-coherence reduction suggests a spatial inter-electrode dependence during the task, rather than a neuronal specialization.

EEG spectral cohrence inter and intrahemispheric during catching object fall task

The aim of the present study was to evaluate coherence measures at Theta through qEEG during the accomplishment of a specific motor task. The sample consisted of 23 healthy individuals, both sexes, with ages varying between 25 and 40 years old. All subjects were submmitted to a specific motor task of cacthing sequences of falling balls. A three-way ANOVA was employed for the statistical analysis, which demonstrated main effects for the following factors: time, block and position. However, there was no interection between the factors. A significant and generalized coherence reduction was observed during the task execution time. Coherence was also diminished at the left frontal cortex and contralateral hemisphere of the utilizing limb (comparing to the right frontal cortex). In conclusion, these findings suggest a certain specialization of the neural circuit, also according to previous investigations. The inter-coherence reduction suggests a spatial inter-electrode dependence during the task, rather than a neuronal specialization.

O objetivo do presente experimento foi avaliar medidas de coerência na banda Teta através do EEGq durante a realização de uma atividade motora. A amostra constituiu-se de 23 sujeitos saudáveis, ambos os sexos, faixa etária entre 25 e 40 anos. Os sujeitos foram submetidos à tarefa motora de apreensão seqüencial de bolas em queda livre. Para análise estatística foi realizada uma ANOVA (Three-Way) que demonstrou efeito principal para os fatores: momento, tempo e posição. Porém não houve interação entre os fatores. Uma diminuição generalizada significativa da coerência ocorreu ao longo do tempo de execução da tarefa que também se apresentou reduzida no córtex frontal esquerdo, hemisfério contralateral ao membro utilizado (em comparação com o córtex frontal direito). Em conclusão, estes achados sugerem especialização do circuito neural que estão em consonância com experimentos prévios. A diminuição da coerência inter-hemisférica sugere uma dependência espacial inter-eletrodos durante a tarefa e não uma especialização neuronal.