 |
|
|
 |
14 Sep 2023
Specific types of physical activity, diet and lifestyle promote powerful reasoning skills in young children
BY
Tom Walker
|
Children who spent more time in organised physical activity showed better reasoning skills than their peers
photo: Shutterstock/Ground Picture
Children who take part in organised physical activity or sport over their first two school years, while also having better diets and spending more time reading have more powerful reasoning skills than peers who don't have the benefit of these kinds of support or engagement. Reasoning skills are crucial in learning, academic performance and everyday problem-solving.
A study by University of Eastern Finland (Itä-Suomen yliopisto) researched data from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) project – a two-year diet and physical activity intervention which focused on cognition among 397 Finnish elementary school children.
Diet specifics were critical, with doctoral researcher, Sehrish Naveed saying: “Children with healthier eating habits showed greater cognitive development than children on poorer diets – specifically, better overall diet quality, with lower red meat and sausage consumption and greater intake of low-fat dairy products such as skimmed milk."
The report also suggests that excessive time spent on a computer and unsupervised physical activity during leisure time were associated with poorer reasoning skills.
Active school transportation, physical activity during school recesses, and physical activity intensity – while giving other major benefits – were not found to be specifically associated with reasoning skills.
Over half of the children participated in a two-year family-based and individualised diet and physical activity intervention. However, this intervention did not impact reasoning skills either, with the children in the intervention and control groups exhibiting similar cognitive development, indicating that it was the impact of organised physical activity that had the greatest power to impact outcomes.
"In the lives of growing children, diet and physical activity intervention is just one factor influencing lifestyle and reasoning skills. Based on our study, investing in a healthy diet and encouraging children to read are beneficial for the development of their reasoning skills. Additionally, engaging in organised sports appears to support reasoning skills," summed up Dr Eero Haapala, senior lecturer in sport and exercise Medicine at the University of Jyväskylä.
The research – Effects of two‐year dietary and physical activity intervention on cognition in children – a nonrandomised controlled trial – was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
Researchers were: Sehrish Naveed, Taisa Sallinen, Aino-Maija Eloranta, Hannamari Skog, Henna Jalkanen, Soren Brage, Ulf Ekelund, Heikki Pentikäinen, Kai Savonen, Timo A. Lakka and Eero A Haapala/
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connect with
World Leisure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| News headlines |
|
|
 |
 |
|
27 Sep 2023
Architect and designer Alberto Apostoli has unveiled his new integrated wellness consulting firm, Armonia, to bolster spas around the world and
.... more>> |
|
|
|
 |
|
28 Sep 2023
The share price of Peloton has jumped after it signed a deal to become the exclusive digital fitness content provider for athletic apparel giant,
.... more>> |
|
|
|
 |
|
28 Sep 2023
PureGym’s holding company, Pinnacle Bidco, has completed the £805m refinancing which was announced on Tuesday this week, with the rapid, one-day
.... more>> |
|
|
|
 |
|
26 Sep 2023
US massage franchise Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is set to convert 23 Massage Green franchise locations across the US to its brand. Launched
.... more>> |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Company profile |
|
![]()
|
| Catalogue gallery |
|
|
| Featured Supplier |
|
 |
|
|
|
in this issue
• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| World Leisure jobs |
 |
Swim Manager
Salary: Competitive salary
Location: Melton Mowbray
Company: Everyone Active
|
|
Sports Centre Supervisor
Salary: £27,980 - £32,333pa + shift allowance
Location: Liverpool, UK
Company: University of Liverpool
|
|
Cleaning Assistant
Salary: Competitive pay rates
Location: Dunstable
Company: Everyone Active
|
|
Team Leader
Salary: Competitive salary, excellent benefits
Location: Dunstable
Company: Everyone Active
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Diary dates |
|
| Powered
by leisurediary.com |
 |
|
|
|
|
