Working Memory in Overweight Boys during Physical Education Classes.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Overweight children often face challenges with physical activity engagement and cognitive function.
• Small-sided games (SSGs) are increasingly recognized for their potential to improve physical and cognitive outcomes.
• Limited research exists on the comparative effects of different SSGs, such as football and Ultimate Frisbee, on overweight youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of small-sided football games (SSFG) and small-sided Ultimate Frisbee games (SSUFG) on working memory, response times, and mood in overweight boys.
• To provide insights for physical education teachers on selecting appropriate motor tasks for overweight students.

Main Methods:

• A randomized crossover design involving 28 overweight boys (mean age 12.23 years).
• Participants completed two 20-minute sessions: SSFG and SSUFG, in a counterbalanced order.
• Response times were assessed using the Sternberg paradigm, and mood was measured with the feeling scale post-exercise.

Main Results:

• Small-sided Ultimate Frisbee games (SSUFG) significantly improved response times at multiple levels of the Sternberg paradigm compared to SSFG.
• SSFG also demonstrated improvements in response times at the "Five item level."
• Feeling mood scores were significantly higher after SSUFG compared to SSFG, indicating a greater positive mood impact.

Conclusions:

• Small-sided Ultimate Frisbee games appear more effective than small-sided football games in enhancing cognitive function (response times) and positive mood in overweight boys.
• The findings support the integration of SSUFG into physical education curricula for overweight youth.
• Educators can use these results to inform the selection of physical activities that optimize both physical and psychological benefits for overweight students.