Research has consistently suggested that physical activity may have an overall positive effect on focus and attention as well as other aspects on cognitive function.[1] Moreover, the benefits of physical activity on focus and attention do not appear to be limited to any particular age group, since studies have found positive results in participants ranging from elementary school aged children[2] to adolescents[3][4] and older adults.[5]
However, it is worth noting that the strength of the association between exercise and cognitive function reported in studies on healthy populations has recently come under scrutiny, with one umbrella review of randomized controlled trials suggesting that much of the research performed in this field may be less conclusive than advertised.[6] More research is needed to establish a direct causal relationship between exercise and cognition, at least in healthy populations.
References
- ^Keita Kamijo, Yoshiaki Nishihira, Takuro Higashiura, Kazuo KuroiwaThe interactive effect of exercise intensity and task difficulty on human cognitive processingInt J Psychophysiol.(2007 Aug)
- ^Matthew T MaharImpact of short bouts of physical activity on attention-to-task in elementary school childrenPrev Med.(2011 Jun)
- ^Reigal RE, Moral-Campillo L, de Mier RJ, Morillo-Baro JP, Morales-Sánchez V, Pastrana JL, Hernández-Mendo APhysical Fitness Level Is Related to Attention and Concentration in Adolescents.Front Psychol.(2020)
- ^Phillip D Tomporowski, Kate Lambourne, Michelle S OkumuraPhysical activity interventions and children's mental function: an introduction and overviewPrev Med.(2011 Jun)
- ^Bherer L, Erickson KI, Liu-Ambrose TA review of the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognitive and brain functions in older adults.J Aging Res.(2013)
- ^Ciria LF, Román-Caballero R, Vadillo MA, Holgado D, Luque-Casado A, Perakakis P, Sanabria DAn umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition.Nat Hum Behav.(2023-Jun)