A review of chronic and acute physical activity participation on neuroelectric measures of brain health and cognition during childhood
Open accessAbstract
Background A growing body of research has detailed the beneficial relation of chronic participation in--and acute responses to--physical activity on aspects of cognition that underlie scholastic achievement. Here, we review the relevant neuroelectric findings on this beneficial relation in children, providing support for the influence of physical activity on specific cognitive processes that comprise academic performance.Method A review of studies examining physical activity and neuroelectric concomitants of cognition during childhood is described. When applicable, research involving adult populations is also described to better inform on this relationship in children.Results Collectively, the data support a beneficial relation of chronic and acute participation in physical activity to brain health and cognition. The results suggest more effective allocation of cognitive processes involved in stimulus engagement and action monitoring during tasks requiring variable amounts of cognitive control in children.Conclusion Physical activity may influence brain health and cognition in children, leading to enhanced scholastic performance and greater overall effective functioning across the lifespan.
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Computerized working memory tasks have been shown to improve psychosocial and occupational functioning, as well as hippocampal and frontotemporal activation.
“Computerized working memory tasks have been shown to improve psychosocial and occupational functioning, as well as hippocampal and frontotemporal activation.50”
From Cognitive Impairment in Major Depressive Disorder (2019) · cites this paper as [50]
A recent study showed lower depression relapse rates in individuals partaking in an aerobic exercise regimen compared to individuals treated with sertraline.
“Likewise, a recent study showed lower depression relapse rates in individuals partaking in an aerobic exercise regimen compared to individuals treated with sertraline, a selectiveserotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).50”
From Cognitive Impairment in Major Depressive Disorder (2019) · cites this paper as [50]
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- Authors
- Hillman, C. H., Kamijo, K., & Scudder, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hillman, Charles H.
- Venue
- Preventive Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-06
- Volume
- 52
- Pages
- S21-S28
- ISSN
- 0091-7435 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3094734
- OpenAlex
- W2140841667
- Cited by
- 274
- References
- 57
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD055352)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Children's Physical and Motor Development
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- physical activity, children, brain health, cognition, academic performance, cognitive control, action monitoring, acute exercise, exercise training
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Brain, Child, Child, Preschool, Cognition, Educational Measurement, Educational Status, Evoked Potentials, Humans, Mental Health, Motor Activity, Sports, Exercise, Young Adult
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