Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025
06:48
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
4.8K
Breakfast and Exercise Improve Academic and Cognitive Performance in Adolescents
Masato Kawabata1, Kerry Lee2, Hui-Cheng Choo1
1Physical Education and Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore S637616, Singapore.
Nutrients
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Eating breakfast and exercising significantly boosts adolescent academic performance. This combination improved math scores and cognitive processing speed compared to fasting and inactivity.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Adolescent academic success is influenced by lifestyle factors.
- The synergistic effects of nutrition and physical activity on cognition require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined impact of breakfast consumption and exercise on adolescents' short-term academic and cognitive functions.
- To compare the effects of four conditions: fasting-sedentary, breakfast-sedentary, fasting-exercise, and breakfast-exercise.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-two adolescents (aged 14-19) were randomly assigned to one of four morning protocols.
- Participants completed academic and cognitive tests, including mathematics and the Stroop Color-Word Task.
- Performance metrics included accuracy, computation time, and reaction times.
Main Results:
- The breakfast and exercise group (B-E) showed significant improvements in mathematics scores (15.2% vs. 6.7%) and computation speed (16.7% vs. 7.4%) compared to the fasting-sedentary (F-S) group.
- The B-E group exhibited faster reaction times on all Stroop task trials compared to the F-S group.
- These improvements were observed over a 4-hour morning period.
Conclusions:
- Combined breakfast consumption and exercise significantly enhance short-term mathematical performance and cognitive processing speed in adolescents.
- This nutritional and physical activity strategy offers a practical approach to improving academic outcomes.
- Future research should explore long-term effects and underlying physiological mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Information Processing Approach
283
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
283
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
252
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
252
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
2.0K
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
2.0K
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
3.2K
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
3.2K
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
571
Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
571
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
1.6K
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
1.6K