The Effect of an Enriched Sport Program on Children's Executive Functions: The ESA Program
Ambra Gentile1,2, Stefano Boca2, Fatma Neşe Şahin3
1Ph.D. Program in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Frontiers in Psychology
|May 16, 2020
Summary
The Enriched Sports Activity Program (ESA Program) improved children's cognitive flexibility and visuospatial working memory. This physical education intervention positively impacted executive functions crucial for daily life.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Executive functions (EFs) are critical for daily activities and long-term well-being.
- Physical exercise is known to positively influence EFs.
- The Enriched Sports Activity Program (ESA Program) is an Erasmus+ project designed to enhance EFs through sport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the ESA Program on specific EFs in children.
- To assess changes in visuospatial working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and task switching.
- To determine if a sport program enriched with cognitive stimuli benefits children's cognitive abilities.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 357 children from four European countries participated.
- Cognitive tests (Digit Span Forward/Backward, Stroop Task, Trail Making Test) were administered before and after the intervention.
- The experimental group engaged in the ESA Program, while the control group received standard physical education.
Main Results:
- The ESA Program significantly improved performance on the Trail Making Test B (cognitive flexibility and task switching).
- A significant positive effect was observed on Digit Span Backward (visuospatial working memory).
- No significant effects were found on Digit Span Forward or the Stroop Task.
Conclusions:
- The ESA Program demonstrates beneficial effects on children's working memory and cognitive flexibility.
- Integrating cognitive stimulation into sports programs can enhance key executive functions.
- This approach holds promise for improving children's cognitive development and quality of life.
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