Article
Sport Sciences
Eero A. Haapala, Anna Widlund, Anna-maija Poikkeus, Rodrigo Antunes Lima, Soren Brage, Pirjo Aunio, Timo A. Lakka
Summary: This study investigated the longitudinal associations between physical activity, motor performance, and academic skills in Finnish primary school children from grade 1 to grade 3. The results showed that better motor performance predicted higher academic skills, while there was no direct or indirect association between physical activity and academic skills. Academic skills in grade 1 did not contribute to physical activity or motor performance.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Pinja Jylanki, Theo Mbay, Airi Hakkarainen, Arja Saakslahti, Pirjo Aunio
Summary: This systematic review examined the methodological quality and effects of interventions targeting fundamental motor skills and physical activity on cognitive and academic skills in typically developing children aged 3 to 7 years. The majority of the included studies demonstrated beneficial effects of the interventions on cognitive and academic skills, particularly in enhancing memory. Combined interventions had larger effects compared to interventions solely targeting fundamental motor skills or physical activity.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Adria Muntaner-Mas, Emiliano Mazzoli, Gavin Abbott, Myrto F. Mavilidi, Aina M. Galmes-Panades
Summary: This study used structural equation modeling to examine the association between physical activity, physical fitness, executive function, and academic achievement. The results showed significant positive direct associations between physical activity and physical fitness, physical fitness and executive function, and executive function and academic achievement. The study also found indirect associations between physical activity and executive function mediated by physical fitness, and between physical fitness and academic achievement through executive function.
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Anne G. M. de Bruijn, Anna Meijer, Marsh Konigs, Jaap Oosterlaan, Joanne Smith, Esther Hartman
Summary: This study examined the relationships between physical, neurocognitive, and academic skills in children. The results showed that physical competencies were indirectly related to academic achievement through specific neurocognitive functions, depending on the academic domain involved. These findings have important implications for the importance of well-developed physical competencies in children.
PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Pinja Jylanki, Theo Mbay, Anni Byman, Airi Hakkarainen, Arja Saakslahti, Pirjo Aunio
Summary: This systematic review examined the methodological quality and effects of interventions in fundamental motor skills and physical activity on cognitive and academic skills in 3- to 7-year-old children with special educational needs. The review included 22 studies and found that intervention effects varied depending on the severity of the learning difficulty. However, the heterogeneity of the studies and their low methodological quality made it challenging to draw generalizable conclusions. Therefore, further high-quality research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these interventions.
Article
Sport Sciences
Antonio Garcia-Hermoso, David Martinez-Gomez, Jorge del Rosario Fernandez-Santos, Francisco B. Ortega, Jose Castro-Pinero, Charles H. Hillman, Oscar L. Veiga, Irene Esteban-Cornejo
Summary: This study examined the longitudinal associations between changes in physical fitness components, body mass index, and academic performance in youths. It found that maintaining high cardiorespiratory fitness and motor ability was associated with better academic performance, while changes in weight status could lead to lower academic performance. Additionally, cardiorespiratory fitness may help mitigate the negative impact of excess body mass index on academic performance. Promoting physical activity programs in schools that focus on improving fitness and reducing obesity could benefit both physical health and academic development.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2021)
Review
Sport Sciences
Antonio Garcia-Hermoso, Robinson Ramirez-Velez, David Revalds Lubans, Mikel Izquierdo
Summary: Improving the quality of physical education classes can enhance cognition and academic performance in children and adolescents, while increasing the quantity of physical education time does not show a significant impact on academic performance. It is suggested that focusing on the quality of physical education interventions may be more beneficial for students' cognitive and academic outcomes.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Sara Wawrzyniak, Ireneusz Cichy, Ana Rita Matias, Damian Pawlik, Agnieszka Kruszwicka, Michal Klichowski, Andrzej Rokita
Summary: Eduball is a method using educational balls to improve students' physical fitness and academic performance, but its impact on children's graphomotor skills is not well understood. The study found that primary school students participating in Eduball PE classes showed better writing skills, supporting the interdisciplinary model of education for holistic student development.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Barbara Joschtel, Sjaan R. Gomersall, Sean Tweedy, Helen Petsky, Anne B. Chang, Stewart G. Trost
Summary: Children with bronchiectasis exhibit significant delays in their fundamental movement skills development. However, those who meet their age equivalency for FMS proficiency participate in significantly more daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than children who do not meet their age-equivalency. Therapeutic exercise programs aimed at improving fundamental movement skills proficiency are likely to be beneficial in this population.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Sport Sciences
Katherine B. Owen, Bridget C. Foley, Katrina Wilhite, Bridget Booker, Chris Lonsdale, Lindsey J. Reece
Summary: Sports participation has a small positive effect on academic performance, especially when the participation is at a moderate dose, and participating in sports during school hours is more beneficial for academic performance.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Siah Kim, Anita Van Zwieten, Jennifer Lorenzo, Rabia Khalid, Suncica Lah, Kerry Chen, Madeleine Didsbury, Anna Francis, Steven Mctaggart, Amanda Walker, Fiona E. Mackie, Chanel Prestidge, Armando Teixeira-Pinto, Allison Tong, Katrina Blazek, Belinda Barton, Jonathan C. Craig, Germaine Wong
Summary: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have cognitive and academic challenges, especially those undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Regardless of CKD stage, academic performance declines as children grow older.
PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Juuso J. Jussila, Anna Pulakka, Jaana Halonen, Paula Salo, Sara Allaouat, Santtu Mikkonen, Timo Lanki
Summary: This study examined the associations between active school transport and leisure-time physical activity with academic performance, academic skills, school burnout, and school enjoyment in Finnish adolescents. The results showed that active school transport was positively associated with educational outcomes and school enjoyment, but not with school burnout. Leisure-time physical activity was robustly associated with all outcomes. However, walking or cycling to school might lead to improvements in classroom performance and school enjoyment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Sport Sciences
Adria Muntaner-Mas, Javier S. Morales, Oscar Martinez-de-Quel, David R. Lubans, Antonio Garcia-Hermoso
Summary: Physical activity can have positive acute effects on academic outcomes in school-aged youth, especially in mathematics and language. Behavior change techniques play an important role in this relationship.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Piedad Rocio Lerma Castano, Diana Paola Montealegre Suarez, Elizabeth Roldan Gonzalez, Carolina Robledo-Castro, Christian Hederich-Martinez, Heidy Paola Garzon Cadena, Paola Andrea Samudio Vargas, Leidy Constanza Gonzalez Montenegro
Summary: The study compared the effects of a structured physical exercise program versus conventional physiotherapy on the gross motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. The experimental group, who received the structured program, showed significant improvements in gross motor skills compared to the control group. This suggests that structured physical exercise programs can be beneficial for children with ASD.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Qing Liu, John C. Nesbit
Summary: Need for cognition refers to an individual's intrinsic motivation for engaging in and enjoying effortful cognitive activities. This meta-analysis examined the relationship between need for cognition and academic achievement, finding a small overall effect size (r = .20) with moderating factors such as grade level, geographic region, exposure to intervention, and outcome measurement tool. The implications of these findings for practice and future research are discussed.
REVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Taihiko Yamaguchi, Saki Mikami, Masana Maeda, Taishi Saito, Toshinori Nakajima, Wataru Yachida, Akihito Gotouda
Summary: This article reviews the current state of portable/wearable EMG devices for assessment of bruxism. The results show that ultra-miniaturized wearable EMG devices with performance equivalent to conventional devices have been developed and used during sleep and in the daytime, with a high level of diagnostic accuracy for sleep bruxism. However, a definite cut-off value for awake bruxism has not been established.
CRANIO-THE JOURNAL OF CRANIOMANDIBULAR & SLEEP PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Malene Norup, Jonas Rud Bjorndal, August Lomholt Nielsen, Patrick Wiegel, Jesper Lundbye-Jensen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of dynamic motor practice and isometric motor practice on force control and position control, as well as the effects on corticospinal excitability. The results showed that dynamic motor practice significantly improved movement accuracy in position control and led to increased corticospinal excitability.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Nutrition & Dietetics
Elizabeth Mannion, Christian Ritz, Paola G. Ferrario
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Joseph Mbabazi, Hannah Pesu, Rolland Mutumba, Gareth McCray, Kim F. Michaelsen, Christian Ritz, Suzanne Filteau, Andre Briend, Ezekiel Mupere, Benedikte Grenov, Henrik Friis, Mette Frahm Olsen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of milk protein (MP) versus soy and whey permeate (WP) versus maltodextrin in large-quantity, lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS), as well as LNS itself versus no supplementation, on child development and head circumference among stunted children aged 1-5 years. The results showed that neither MP nor WP had an effect on any developmental domain. Although LNS itself had no impact on development, it resulted in a 0.07cm increase in head circumference.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Suvi T. Kangas, Issa Niamanto Coulibaly, Zachary Tausanovitch, Bareye Ouologuem, Bethany Marron, Elizabeth Radin, Christian Ritz, Salimou Dembele, Cesaire T. Ouedraogo, Jeanette Bailey
Summary: The study aimed to determine the incidence of relapse and associated factors among children recovering from acute malnutrition using the ComPAS protocol. A cohort of 420 children with a MUAC >= 125 mm was monitored for 6 months. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 26.1% for MUAC < 125 mm and/or edema and 1.7% for MUAC < 115 mm and/or edema. Factors such as lower anthropometry at admission and discharge, more illness episodes per month, and certain socio-economic factors were associated with relapse.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sofie Hauerberg Henninger, Anna Yde Fibieger, Faidon Magkos, Christian Ritz
Summary: Current treatment options for overweight and obesity rely on strict diet and exercise regimes, making it difficult to sustain as a lifelong routine. This study explored the effects of mindful eating and YogaDance, individually and in combination, as alternative approaches to manage obesity. The findings suggest modest benefits of an 8-week combination of mindful eating and YogaDance, supporting previous research on the effectiveness of mindful eating, yoga, and dance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul Lang, Svend S. Geertsen, Alex L. Lublin, Michelle C. Potter, Tatiana Gladysheva, Jill S. Gregory, Pascal Rufi
Summary: This study found that teriflunomide has inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, with an EC50 of 15.22 mu M and no cytotoxicity to cells. The results support the broad antiviral effect of teriflunomide.
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Physiology
M. H. Hjortshoej, P. Aagaard, C. D. Storgaard, H. Juneja, J. Lundbye-Jensen, S. P. Magnusson, C. Couppe
Summary: This study evaluated the hormonal, immune, and oxidative stress responses in healthy adults following low-load blood-flow restricted resistance exercise (LL-BFRRE) and conventional free-flow resistance exercise (FFRE). The results showed that LL-BFRRE induced higher hormone and immune responses compared to FFRE, and had attenuated oxidative stress responses compared to HL-FFRE.
Article
Neurosciences
Malene Norup, August Lomholt Nielsen, Jonas Rud Bjorndal, Patrick Wiegel, Meaghan Elizabeth Spedden, Jesper Lundbye-Jensen
Summary: In this study, the effects of motor practice on motor performance, accuracy and variability in preadolescent children were investigated. The study also examined changes in corticomuscular coherence following motor practice. Participants performed wrist flexions with specific movement endpoints or force levels. Results showed that position control practice led to greater improvements in movement accuracy compared to force control practice or resting control. There were no significant changes in force task performance or corticomuscular coherence. These findings suggest that preadolescent children improve position control following dynamic accuracy motor practice, but not force control.
HUMAN MOVEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rolland Mutumba, Hannah Pesu, Joseph Mbabazi, Eva Greibe, Mette F. Olsen, Andre Briend, Christian Molgaard, Christian Ritz, Nicolette Nabukeera-Barungi, Ezekiel Mupere, Suzanne Filteau, Henrik Friis, Benedikte Grenov
Summary: This study assessed the correlates of iron, cobalamin, folate, and vitamin A biomarkers in stunted children in eastern Uganda. The results showed that these children have deficiencies in iron, cobalamin, and vitamin A. Therefore, interventions addressing stunting should also target these micronutrient deficiencies.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Victor Nikiema, Suvi T. Kangas, Cecile Salpeteur, Andre Briend, Leisel Talley, Henrik Friis, Christian Ritz, Ebba Nexo, Adrian Mccann
Summary: In children with severe acute malnutrition, treatment with RUTF improved B12 status but did not fully correct deficiency. Breastfed children had lower B12 status compared to non-breastfed children.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rolland Mutumba, Joseph Mbabazi, Hannah Pesu, Eva Greibe, Mette F. Olsen, Andre Briend, Christian Molgaard, Christian Ritz, Ezekiel Mupere, Suzanne Filteau, Henrik Friis, Benedikte Grenov
Summary: Anemia is common among stunted children in eastern Uganda, and micronutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and malaria are associated with low hemoglobin levels.
Article
Education, Special
Laurits Munk Hojberg, Jesper Lundbye-Jensen, Jacob Wienecke
Summary: This study aimed to investigate how young adults with Down syndrome (DS) learn and retain new motor skills. The results showed that individuals with DS had poorer motor performance compared to typically developed individuals. However, they demonstrated online improvements in performance with practice and showed offline consolidation, leading to significant retention effects.
RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
(2023)
