Effects of acute cardiovascular exercise on attention in preadolescent children

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of an acute bout of cardiovascular exercise on selective and sustained attention in preadolescent children. Secondary aims included determining if gender, baseline physical activity level, or intensity of exercise moderates the relationship between acute exercise and attentional processes. A within-subjects design was used to measure performance on the Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT II) following 20 min of sedentary activity (passively viewing a video) and 20 min of cardiovascular (CV) exercise. The CPT II was administered on two different testing days to 26 preadolescent children (age = 10.4 ± 1.16 years; 13 females). Participants wore ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers at the waist during the exercise session, which consisted of a 10-station aerobic circuit, designed to elicit and maintain a cardiovascular response. Testing began once heart rate returned to within 10% of preexercise levels. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) was administered as a baseline measure of physical activity levels. Average exercise intensities met national guidelines of spending greater than 50% exercise time at moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Results indicated that CV exercise had no adverse effects on selective or sustained attentional processes. Neither gender nor baseline physical activity level influenced this relationship. To meet daily recommended levels of MVPA, opportunities for CV exercise may be incorporated in the school day without adversely affecting student attention.