The Effect of an Active Breaks Program on Primary School Student’s Executive Functions and Emotional Intelligence
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Active breaks (ABs) (periods of physical activity during lessons) have demonstrated very positive results on executive functions (EFs) and emotional intelligence (EI).
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Editorial:
Laura Gómez
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Descripción física:
Resumen:
Background: Active breaks (ABs) (periods of physical activity during lessons) have demonstrated very positive results on executive functions (EFs) and emotional intelligence (EI). Method: A sample of 166 Primary school students (83 students in the experimental group and 83 in the control) was involved in this study. The experimental group received 20 periods of weekly ABs (a period of 5-10 minutes, 3-5 times a day for 17 weeks), where physical activity (PA) was combined with curricular content (CC), cooperative work (CM) and EI. Results: The students in the experimental group improved in all the EF variables and the EI mood, stress management and global indices. Conclusions: An AB program, along with CM and CC teaching, can be used to improve the primary school students’ cognitive functioning as well as to achieve beneficial results in EI.
Background: Active breaks (ABs) (periods of physical activity during lessons) have demonstrated very positive results on executive functions (EFs) and emotional intelligence (EI). Method: A sample of 166 Primary school students (83 students in the experimental group and 83 in the control) was involved in this study. The experimental group received 20 periods of weekly ABs (a period of 5-10 minutes, 3-5 times a day for 17 weeks), where physical activity (PA) was combined with curricular content (CC), cooperative work (CM) and EI. Results: The students in the experimental group improved in all the EF variables and the EI mood, stress management and global indices. Conclusions: An AB program, along with CM and CC teaching, can be used to improve the primary school students’ cognitive functioning as well as to achieve beneficial results in EI.
Descripción:
Active breaks can be an effective methodological and didactic choice, because they have a positive infl uence on a number of cognitive and emotional processes. Future researchers should therefore consider the use of ABs as a long-term strategy to improve EFs and EI, while taking into account the need for adequate and continuous training for teachers. The ABs should be brief, regular and integrated into the CC.