Event Title
Effect of In-School Physical Activity Levels on Children's Neurocognitive Function and Reaction Time
Faculty Sponsor
Mary Lee Nitschke
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
Date
5-13-2011 3:00 PM
End Date
5-13-2011 4:30 PM
Subject Area
Biology (general)
Description
Physical activity has been shown to enhance brain function and overall brain health. Exercise increases the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, an area involved in learning and memory function (Rasmussen et al., 2009). The purpose here is to measure how physical activity influences a child’s ability to focus and perform a task. 4th grade children will be timed matching 10 pairs of cards in a memory game. The study groups include children in a physical education class where they maintain 70-80% of their maximum heart rate for 40 min./5 days a week, and a control group that does not have a physical education class. The results will be tracked over a 6-week period. The outcome is expected to support that 40 min./day at 70-80% maximum heart rate improves children’s test time, which reflects an increase in neurocognitive function and reaction time.
Reference: Peter Rasmussen, P. B. (2009). Evidence for a release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from the brain during excercise. Experimental Physiology, 94 (10), 1062-1069.
Recommended Citation
Thies, Hannah, "Effect of In-School Physical Activity Levels on Children's Neurocognitive Function and Reaction Time" (2011). Science and Social Sciences. Event. Submission 21.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/studsymp_sci/2011/all/21
Effect of In-School Physical Activity Levels on Children's Neurocognitive Function and Reaction Time
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
Physical activity has been shown to enhance brain function and overall brain health. Exercise increases the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, an area involved in learning and memory function (Rasmussen et al., 2009). The purpose here is to measure how physical activity influences a child’s ability to focus and perform a task. 4th grade children will be timed matching 10 pairs of cards in a memory game. The study groups include children in a physical education class where they maintain 70-80% of their maximum heart rate for 40 min./5 days a week, and a control group that does not have a physical education class. The results will be tracked over a 6-week period. The outcome is expected to support that 40 min./day at 70-80% maximum heart rate improves children’s test time, which reflects an increase in neurocognitive function and reaction time.
Reference: Peter Rasmussen, P. B. (2009). Evidence for a release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from the brain during excercise. Experimental Physiology, 94 (10), 1062-1069.