Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38831358›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2024

Executive function and spatial abilities in physically active children: an explorative study.

Noemi Passarello, Patrizia Turriziani, Fabio Lucidi, Laura Mandolesi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Noemi PassarelloGeneral and Experimental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples "Federico" II, Naples, Italy.
Patrizia TurrizianiNeuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Fabio LucidiDepartment of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
Laura MandolesiGeneral and Experimental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples "Federico" II, Naples, Italy. laura.mandolesi@unina.it.

Funding

Department of Humanities - University of Naples Federico II Fondi ricerca dipartimentale 2023 to L.M.
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRegular physical activity has consistently shown promise in improving cognitive functioning among children. However, there is a shortage of comprehensive studies that delve into these benefits across various cognitive domains. This preliminary investigation aimed to discern potential disparities in cognitive performance between active and sedentary children, with a specific focus on inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and visuo-spatial working memory abilities.

methodsThe study employed a cross-sectional design encompassing 26 children (mean age 9.53 ± 2.20 years), categorized into two groups: Active and Sedentary. Executive functions were assessed using the NEPSY-II, while visuo-spatial working memory abilities were evaluated through the table version of the Radial Arm Maze (table-RAM) task. All outputs were analyzed with One-way ANOVAS or Kruskal-Wallis Tests to assess differences between Active and Sedentary children in both executive functioning and visuo-spatial working memory processes.

resultsThe findings revealed that the Active group outperformed the sedentary group in inhibitory control (F1,23 = 4.99, p = 0.03*), cognitive flexibility (F1,23 = 5.77, p = 0.02*), spatial span (F1,23 = 4.40, p = 0.04*), and working memory errors (F1,23 = 8.59, p = 0.01**). Both spatial span and working memory errors are parameters closely associated with visuo-spatial working memory abilities.

conclusionsAlthough preliminary, these results offer evidence of a positive link between physical activity and cognitive functioning in children. This indicates the importance of promoting active behaviors, especially within educational environments.

Indexed as

Executive FunctionExerciseSpatial NavigationChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMemory, Short-TermSedentary BehaviorActive lifestyleCognitionEcological taskPhysical activityPhysical exercise

Identifiers

PMID38831358
PMCPMC11149259

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.