The association between a single bout of moderate physical activity and executive function in young adults with Down syndrome: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at investigating the impact of a single exercise intervention on executive function in young adults with Down syndrome (DS). METHODS: Considering the relations among executive function, physical and mental health and early onset of Alzheimer's disease in this population, we tested three components of executive function (e.g. choice-response time, attention shifting and inhibition) that have been shown to be impaired in previous studies. Ten persons with DS were assigned to an exercise group, who walked on a treadmill for 20 min at moderate intensity and ten additional persons with DS were assigned to an attentional control group, who watched a video. Measures of executive function were tested pre and post interventions. RESULTS: These results showed non-significant improvements in choice-response time (P = 0.32) and attention shifting (P = 0.13) but a statistically significant improvement in inhibition (P = 0.03) after the exercise intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Given the improved inhibition ability, exercise may be an effective intervention, even in a signal session. However, only a few studies have focused on this topic. Based on theoretical models linking exercise to executive function, we proposed that exercise may increase arousal status or enhance neural transmission. Hence, future work is needed to examine the exact mechanism in the relationship between exercise and executive function for individuals with DS.

The Effect of an Authentic Acute Physical Education Session of Dance on Elementary Students' Selective Attention.

There have been calls to test the potential benefits of different forms of physical activity (PA) to executive function, particularly in authentic settings. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute dance session within an existing physical education class on students' selective attention. The study employed a pre/posttest quasi-experimental design with a comparison group in one Aotearoa, New Zealand, primary school. Participants were 192 students (comparison group = 104 students) in Years 5 and 6. The intervention group participated in a dance-based physical education lesson while the comparison group continued their regular classroom work. PA during the physical education lesson was monitored using accelerometers. Selective attention was assessed at pretest and after the comparison/physical education sessions with the d2 Test of Attention. 2 × 2 ANOVA results suggested a significant time effect for all three measures, no significant group effects for any measures, and significant time by group interactions for TN and CP but not for E%. The intervention group improved significantly more than the comparison group for TN and CP. This study's findings suggest that existing school opportunities focused on cognitively engaging PA, such as dance, can improve aspects of students' selective attention.

Fitness portfolio calibration for first- through sixth-grade children.

The purpose of this study was to develop and calibrate health-relatedfitness portfolios for 1st-6th grade students using the many-faceted Rasch model, and examine advantages and disadvantages of a portfolio assessment system based on Rasch calibration. Nine hundred ninety-five studentsfrom 23 schools infirst-sixth grade, who completed three-six of nine health-related fitness portfolios, participated in this study. Ten physical education teachers performed the grading across various portfolios and grade levels. Students'portfolios were rated using 23 predeveloped rubrics, and their scores linked through several common portfolios that were used across schools. The rating scores were analyzed using the many-faceted Rasch model, with four defined facets: portfolio, rubric, student, and rater The model-data fit was very good, and a consistent grade difference wasfound, that is, older students scored higher in fitness knowledge than younger ones. With Rasch calibration, measurement problems in conventional portfolio assessments can be eliminated, and a valid and reliable assessment system can be developed. In addition, several other measurement advantages are provided by Rasch calibration (e.g., related facets can be examined and controlled simultaneously). A large sample size and a more complex process, however, are required in the calibration stage of developing such a system using the Rasch model.

Skill-related task structures, explicitness, and accountability: relationships with student achievement.

The purpose of this study was to determine relationships of task structures, explicitness, and accountability with student achievement in physical education. The subjects were teachers of 10 physical education classes and their 202 students. Each class participated in instruction that was videotaped, and the students were pre- and posttested. Videotapes were coded to collect data on each skill-related task including the task presentation time, skill being taught, explicitness of the task presentation, primary and secondary accountability systems used, level of student participation, and total task time. Among the many results, for the volleyball forearm pass, significant relationships were found for the total number of tasks and time spent in tasks when expectations included outcome, situation, and criteria-product. For the volleyball underhand serve, significant relationships were found for the total number of tasks and time spent in tasks when accountability included teacher feedback with follow-up and monitoring of off-task behavior.