EFFICACY OF A SCHOOL-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM WITH COGNITIVE INVOLVEMENT ON LEARNING ABILITY: A PILOT STUDY ON THE PREVENTION OF ACADEMIC FAILURE AMONG INCOMING FIRST-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of a 16-week physical activity program with cognitive involvement (CIPA) on students' academic performance and physical fitness. 88 students (14±.33yrs) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG, n=44) who received 15 more minutes of CPA (with cognitive involvement) in addition to physical education (PE) classes, or a control group (CG, n=44) who received regular PE lessons. Students' physical fitness were assessed through a battery of motor tests (20mSRT, Push-up, Curl-up, Sit and reach). Cognitive performance and academic achievement were assessed by the Amos 8-15. After the intervention, the EG showed a greater capacity to organize their study and to be more flexible, an anxiety-reduction, and an improvement in motivation, concentration and learning ability (p<0.001). The CG did not report significant changes. This study suggests that a CIPA program might be effective on cognition and academic success, as well as for improving students' physical fitness.