Effect of a School Intervention With Physical Activity on Executive Functions

During childhood, cognitive aspects of the prefrontal cortex are in the maturation phase. This process is associated with improvements in executive functions, in a continuous process, and although differentiated by its multiple aspects, it seems to correspond with the development peaks of the prefrontal cortex, which occur between 7 and 9 years of age. In addition to the biological alterations arising from the growth and development of the brain, physical activity performed regularly indicates a simple and effective way to improve the executive functions of children. Contreras-Osorio and colleagues stated that physical activity performed at moderate and vigorous intensities is positively related to working memory, reaction time, executive attention, cognitive flexibility, and planning in children and adolescents aged 10 to 12 years. Other authors highlight that activities involving cardiorespiratory fitness and motor coordination provide an increase in cognitive performance, with improvements in planning capacity, memory, self-control, and value judgment, among other fundamental components for social interaction and academic performance In a previous study, Visier-Alfonso and colleagues evaluated 186 school-age children aged 9 to 11 years and demonstrated positive effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, with increased physical activity, and positive changes in inhibitory control, working memory, and brain structure. Additionally, good levels of motor coordination are associated with complex movements and sport-specific skills, and are also essential for the development of higher levels of cognitive function. The relationships between motor skills and executive functions during childhood are based on coactivation events between the prefrontal cortex, the cerebellum, and the basal ganglia during different motor and cognitive tasks, especially when the task is complex, is a new task, or requires speed and concentration. This is because neural regions typically associated with cognitive operations can also be recruited during the performance of motor tasks.