The Effects of Cognitively Challenging Physical Activity Games versus Health-Related Fitness Activities on Students’ Executive Functions and Situational Interest in Physical Education

A Group-Randomized Controlled Trial

Bibliographic Data

ID16946296
AuthorsAthanasios Kolovelonis (0000-0002-1105-4579, University of Thessaly, corresponding author), Marios Goudas (0000-0001-9181-9924, University of Thessaly)
Year2023
Volume13
Issue5
Pages796-809
Publication date2023-04-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2174-8144 • E-ISSN: 2254-9625
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/ejihpe13050060
PMID37232698
OpenAlexW4367051910
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited50

This study compared cognitively challenging physical activity games and health-related fitness activities in terms of their effects on students’ executive functions and situational interest in physical education. A total of 102 fourth- and fifth-grade students (56 boys, 46 girls) participated in this study. A group-randomized controlled trial design involving an acute experiment was used. Two intact classes of students (one fourth-grade and one fifth-grade) were randomly assigned to each one of the three groups. Students in Group 1 participated in cognitively challenging physical activity games, students in Group 2 participated in activities for developing their health-related fitness, and Group 3 students were the control group without physical education. Executive functions were measured pre- and post-intervention with the design fluency test, whereas situational interest was only measured post-intervention with the situational interest scale. Group 1 students who played cognitively challenging physical activity games had increased their executive functions’ scores more than the Group 2 students involved in health-related fitness activities. Students of both these groups outperformed control group students. Moreover, Group 1 students reported higher levels of instant enjoyment and total interest than Group 2 students. The results of this study suggest that cognitively challenging physical activity games can be an effective means for enhancing executive functions, and motivate students to be involved in interesting and enjoyable forms of physical activity

Cognition · Developmental psychology · Executive functions · Fluency · Mathematics education · Physical activity · Physical education · Physical therapy · Randomized controlled trial · Situational ethics · Applied Psychology · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Clinical Psychology · Educational Games and Gamification · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Social Psychology

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