The objective of this study is to explore effects of 12 weeks low intensity physical activity program on physical, cognitive and emotional ability of elementary school students. In order to maintain low intensity, I was monitored
heart rate during ex...
The objective of this study is to explore effects of 12 weeks low intensity physical activity program on physical, cognitive and emotional ability of elementary school students. In order to maintain low intensity, I was monitored
heart rate during exercise. I used wireless heart rate monitor watch for measuring heart rate. In order to evaluate health related fitness, I measured muscular strength, flexibility, muscular strength and body composition. I analyzed Stroop test results for evaluation of cognitive ability and WLEIS questionnaires for fostering of emotional ability.
Physical activity during 0 class period activates brain cell by increasing promotion of BDNF that helps learning memory and makes brain of the students to be suitable for learning (John J. Ratey). However, excessive exercise intensity of the elementary school students may be rather detrimental to their learning and due to lowered recovery ability, fatigue is likely to be accumulated. Under this background, the objective of this study is to present exercise intensity and its effectiveness of physical activity during o class period of elementary school student by verifying an effect of low intensity exercise program. The result of this study is as follows.
First, in order to progress exercise intensity of physical activity program as low level, range of target heart rate was set at 138-167 (50-70% of exercise intensity). As its result, it could be confiremed that at the time of actual participation in the program, low intensity exercise was progressed based on its average heart rate of 143.38+/-6.78 and energy consumption was estimated as 450+/-38.56.
Second, in 'physical fitness' elements, like muscular strength (grip strength), flexibility (bending upper body forward in sitting position) and explosive muscular strength (standing long jump), all of them were significantly enhanced statistically. BMI was also enhanced but not statistically significant. Therefore, it could be realized that even low intensity physical activity was effective for physical fitness and for the elementary students whose height and weight are rapidly growing, it is hard to believe that such students did not affected by other facts but it is considered that control of body composition during growth period would be helpful for right growth.
Third, in 'cognitive ability' element, No. of correct question item and correct reaction time among total orrect+Incorrect question items, reaction time were observed during given 1 minute through Stroop test. In all of exercise group and
control group, total correct+incorrect question items and No. of correct question item were enhanced. From this result, it could be realized that this result was attributable to learning effect by repeated action. However, while enhanced score of No. of correct question item of control group was 2.44, that of exercise group was enhanced by 6,34 and from this. It could be realized that cognitive reaction speed was relatively enhanced. As an examination result of exercise group, not only the reaction time but also the correct reaction time was reduced. But this result did not represent significant difference statistically. However, total No. of correct+incorrect and No. of correct were increased later than beforehand and this result represented significant difference statistically.
Fourth, in order to evaluate 'emotional ability' element, WLEIS questionnaire was performed in 4 areas including understanding self and others emotion, utilization
of emotion and emotion regulation. All the exercise group (n=146) was enhanced and control group was reduced. Those results represented significant result statistically. In understanding self and others emotion, significance probability of p<.001 was represented. Also in emotion utilization and emotion regulation, significance probability of p<.01 was represented.
When summarizing the result of this study, it could be realized that comparing with students of control group who did not participate in the program, the students of experiment group who participated in 12-week low intensity exercise program regularly showed significant difference in terms of physical strength, emotion and cognitive ability. As its result, it could be seen that low intensity exercise program was also effective for elementary school students. Based on this result, it is considered that a study on effective exercise intensity depending on target or exercise objective would be required.