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Sports, Executive Functions and Academic Performance: A Comparison between Martial Arts, Team Sports, and Sedentary Children

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Giordano

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90135 Viale delle Scienze, Italy)

  • Manuel Gómez-López

    (Department of Physical Activity, Sport Faculty of Sports Science, University of Murcia, 30720 Murcia, Spain
    Campus of International Excellence “Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30720 Murcia, Spain)

  • Marianna Alesi

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90135 Viale delle Scienze, Italy)

Abstract

It is well known that curricular physical activity benefits children’s executive functions and academic performance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether there is an influence of extracurricular sports on executive functions and academic performance. However, it is less known which specific types of the sport better enhance executive functions in children; to investigate this issue, this study compared the performance on executive functions tasks and academic performance in one hundred and two boys and girls with an average age of 11.84 years recruited from Italian schools and gyms ( N = 102), who participated in martial arts or team sports or were sedentary children. Executive functions were measured with the tests: Attenzione e Concentrazione, Digit Span test, Tower of London, IOWA Gambling task BVN 5-11, and BVN 12-18. Results demonstrated that children practicing martial arts showed better executive functioning and higher school marks than those involved in team sports or not involved in any sports. Furthermore, participants aged 12 to 15 years old outperformed in cool and hot executive functions tasks and had a better academic performance. Thus, the present findings supported the view that regular practice of extracurricular sports enhances executive functions development and consequently influences academic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Giordano & Manuel Gómez-López & Marianna Alesi, 2021. "Sports, Executive Functions and Academic Performance: A Comparison between Martial Arts, Team Sports, and Sedentary Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11745-:d:675179
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Su-Youn Cho & Wi-Young So & Hee-Tae Roh, 2017. "The Effects of Taekwondo Training on Peripheral Neuroplasticity-Related Growth Factors, Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity, and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-10, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Albertas Skurvydas & Ausra Lisinskiene & Daiva Majauskiene & Dovile Valanciene & Ruta Dadeliene & Natalja Istomina & Asta Sarkauskiene & Gediminas Buciunas, 2022. "What Types of Exercise Are Best for Emotional Intelligence and Logical Thinking?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Falonn Contreras-Osorio & Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán & Enrique Cerda-Vega & Luis Chirosa-Ríos & Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo & Christian Campos-Jara, 2022. "Effects of the Type of Sports Practice on the Executive Functions of Schoolchildren," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, March.

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