Exercise Effects on Cognition in School-Aged Children

The aim of this proposal is to improve our understanding of factors related to brain health
and cognition of school-aged children by examining the effects of a 9-month exercise
intervention on basic and applied aspects of cognition in preadolescent children. From a
basic measurement perspective, event-related brain potentials, MRI, fMRI, and behavioral
indices of cognition will be studied during several tasks aimed at assessing various aspects
of executive control. Preliminary research has observed faster and more efficient
performance in high-fit, relative to low-fit, children and adults using neuroelectric
measures that reflect attentional allocation to environmental stimuli and response
monitoring processes, along with behavioral measures that reflect response speed and
accuracy. These preliminary findings indicate greater top-down attentional control may be
associated with increases in physical activity. From an applied measurement perspective,
preliminary research has found that children with greater aerobic fitness perform better on
standardized achievement tests of reading and mathematics, compared to children with lower
aerobic fitness, suggesting that exercise may be related to academic performance in an
applied school setting. To date, no causal evidence exists regarding the effects of physical
activity on neuroelectric, behavioral, or applied school performance indices of cognition in
children. Accordingly, this proposal investigates an aerobic activity training intervention
on these measures of cognition using three tasks that require variable amounts of executive
control, and on the Illinois Standardized Achievement Test using a randomized control design
in which participants are assigned to an afterschool physical activity program or a
wait-list control group. Given recent trends identifying decreased levels of physical
activity and health status in preadolescents, the understanding of the potential benefits of
physical activity on cognition is of great interest. It is imperative that factors
positively influencing cognitive function of children be examined to maximize health and
effective functioning of individuals as they progress through the lifespan.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Parental consent

- 7.5-9.5 years

- Capable of performing exercise

- Absence of school-identified learning disability

- IQ > 85

- Tanner Scales score <= 2

- ADHD Rating Scales score > 85%

Exclusion Criteria:

- Non-consent of guardian

- Above or Below age range

- Any physical disability that prohibits exercise

- School-identified learning disability

- IQ < 85

- Tanner Scales Score > 2

- ADHD Rating Scale score < 85%