Distraction versus Intensity: The Importance of Exercise Classes for Cognitive Performance in School

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the influenceof a class of aerobic exercise and an art class on braincortical activity and possible effects on cognitive performance.
Subject and Methods: Electroencephalography wasused to record the electrocortical activity of 16 schoolchildren(8–10 years old) before and after an aerobic exerciseclass and an art class. Performance in a standardized test ofeducational attainment (VERA-3) was assessed followingboth classes.
Results: A significant decrease in cortical activitywas detected in all 4 lobes after exercise but not after artclasses ( p < 0.05). No changes in cognitive performance wereobserved after exercise and art classes.
Conclusion: In this study, cortical activity was reduced after an exercise class butno effect on cognitive performance was observed. Hence,the neurophysiological effect of exercise should be furtherevaluated regarding different kinds of cognitive performance:creativity, knowledge acquisition as well as the outlastingeffects of exercise on academic achievement.