Kognitive Handlungsrepräsentationen als Strukturgrundlage zur Definition von kognitiver Aktivierung im Sportunterricht

Cognitive activation is known from education research but has found only limited applicability in physical education research; therefore, this paper presents a proposal for a definition as well as a theoretical structure and process model of cognitive activation in physical education based on the currently dominant representational theory of memory and a subsequent theoretical action perspective. A central aim of this theoretical framework was to take an action theoretical perspective based on mental representation and model cognition of students in physical education classes. Accordingly, cognition and information processing in physical education are considered as constructive cognitive activities. Furthermore, mental representations of actions form the basis for movement and physical activity. This paper integrates intradisciplinary coordinates from sports psychology, exercise science and didactics and discusses interfaces between cognitive activation and cognitive activity of students in physical education. The present framework can be understood as a theoretical basis for physical education research.     

Cognitive enhancement: a comparative review of computerized and athletic training programs

Cognitive enhancement refers to any type of improvement in cognitive performance following targeted interventions. Cognitive training is a rapidly growing market with potential to further expand in the future. Several computerized software programs promoting cognitive enhancement have been developed in recent years, with controversial results and implications. Within the research field, advances have been made regarding our understanding of the benefits inherent to cognitive programs, mainly involving working memory mechanisms and videogame training paradigms. In a distinct literature, physical exercise has been shown to broadly enhance cognitive functions, in humans and animals. In this article, we bring together these two trends of research in a comparative review, leading the discussion to an emerging third approach: designed sports training. Specifically designed sports, which tax working memory and spatial ability by incorporating motion in three-dimensional space, are an optimal way to combine the benefits of traditional cognitive training and physical exercise into a single activity. We discuss these findings in the context of embodied cognition, and argue that sensorimotor learning in designed sports is a key mechanism linking training and cognitive enhancement.     

Fördert ein multidimensionales Gesundheitssportprogramm kognitive und motorische Fähigkeiten im höheren Erwachsenenalter?

Research on successful aging has shown that physical training can have positive effects on cognitive and motor functions in the elderly. The article describes a study involving a 12-week multidimensional exercise program (endurance, strength, flexibility and relaxation) with one session per week which was established for older adults (60 years onwards). Cognitive training (e. g. attention, concentration and memory) was additionally targeted in each exercise session. The exercise program was evaluated by different standardized tests regarding its effects on motor and cognitive performance as dependent variables. In a randomized controlled trial with experimental and waiting control group two points of measurement were conducted. The results showed a significant increase in fitness parameters (endurance, strength and dynamic balance) for the experimental group in contrast to the control group. The expected significant increase for cognitive functions was not found. There is still not enough known about the relationship between cognitive function and physical activity in older adults.     

Neurogranin as an important regulator in swimming training to improve the spatial memory dysfunction of mice with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

BackgroundVascular cognitive impairment caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) has become a hot issue worldwide. Aerobic exercise positively contributes to the preservation or restoration of cognitive abilities; however, the specific mechanism has remained inconclusive. And recent studies found that neurogranin (Ng) is a potential biomarker for cognitive impairment. This study aims to investigate the underlying role of Ng in swimming training to improve cognitive impairment.MethodsTo test this hypothesis, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system was utilized to construct a strain of Ng conditional knockout (Ng cKO) mice, and bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) surgery was performed to prepare the model. In Experiment 1, 2-month-old male and female transgenic mice were divided into a control group (wild-type littermate, n = 9) and a Ng cKO group (n = 9). Then, 2-month-old male and female C57BL/6 mice were divided into a sham group (C57BL/6, n = 12) and a BCAS group (n = 12). In Experiment 2, 2-month-old male and female mice were divided into a sham group (wild-type littermate, n = 12), BCAS group (n = 12), swim group (n = 12), BCAS + Ng cKO group (n = 12), and swim + Ng cKO group (n = 12). Then, 7 days after BCAS, mice were given swimming training for 5 weeks (1 week for adaptation and 4 weeks for training, 5 days a week, 60 min a day). After intervention, laser speckle was used to detect cerebral blood perfusion in the mice, and the T maze and Morris water maze were adopted to test their spatial memory. Furthermore, electrophysiology and Western blotting were conducted to record long-term potential and observe the expressions of Ca²⁺ pathway-related proteins, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was applied to analyze the expression of relevant markers in neuronal damage, inflammation, and white matter injury.ResultsThe figures showed that spatial memory impairment was detected in Ng cKO mice, and a sharp decline of cerebral blood flow and an impairment of progressive spatial memory were observed in BCAS mice. Regular swimming training improved the spatial memory impairment of BCAS mice. This was achieved by preventing long-term potential damage and reversing the decline of Ca²⁺ signal transduction pathway-related proteins. At the same time, the results suggested that swimming also led to improvements in neuronal death, inflammation, and white matter injury induced by CCH. Further study adopted the use of Ng cKO transgenic mice, and the results indicated that the positive effects of swimming training on cognitive impairments, synaptic plasticity, and related pathological changes caused by CCH could be abolished by the knockout of Ng.ConclusionSwimming training can mediate the expression of Ng to enhance hippocampal synaptic plasticity and improve related pathological changes induced by CCH, thereby ameliorating the spatial memory impairment of vascular cognitive impairment.     

体力活动对痴呆患者认知功能干预效果的Meta分析

目的:系统评价体力活动对痴呆患者认知功能的干预效果。方法:计算机检索PubMed、Web of Science、The Cochrane Library、EMbase、Medline、CBM、CNKI、VIP和Wan Fang Data数据库中有关体力活动对痴呆患者认知功能的随机对照试验(RCTs),检索时限均从各个数据库收录起始年限至2018年7月27日,使用PEDro量表进行方法学质量评价,采用Revman5.3软件进行Meta分析,采用Stata14.0软件进行发表偏倚检验。结果:共纳入24个RCT,包括1581例痴呆患者。Meta分析结果显示:体力活动对痴呆患者整体认知功能(MD=2.17,95%CI:1.50,2.84,P<0.00001)有积极的影响。亚组分析结果显示:体力活动对AD患者(MD=2.40,95%CI:1.58,3.23,P<0.00001)与合并AD患者(MD=1.45,95%CI:0.41,2.48,P=0.006)的整体认知功能优于对照组;有氧运动(MD=2.43,95%CI:1.63,3.23,P<0.00001)与混合运动(MD=1.48,95%CI:0.08,2.87,P=0.04)对痴呆患者整体认知功能优于对照组,但抗阻运动(MD=1.70,95%CI:-0.15,3.55,P=0.07)与太极拳运动(MD=0.92,95%CI:-2.98,4.82,P=0.64)与对照组差异无统计学意义;高频率体力活动(MD=1.64,95%CI:0.25,3.04,P=0.02)与低频率体力活动(MD=2.33,95%CI:1.57,3.09,P<0.00001)对痴呆患者的整体认知功能均优于对照组。不同认知领域Meta分析结果显示:体力活动对痴呆患者执行功能(SMD=0.08,95%CI:-0.05,0.20,P=0.22)、TMT-A与TMT-B(SMD=-0.05,95%CI:-0.26,0.16,P=0.63)和记忆功能(SMD=0.15,95%CI:-0.06,0.37,P=0.17)与对照组相比差异无统计学意义,只有注意力(SMD=0.18,95%CI:0.02,0.35,P=0.03)优于对照组。结论:体力活动干预对AD患者与合并AD患者的整体认知功能有积极影响,并且有氧与混合、高频率与低频率的体力活动干预对所有痴呆患者的整体认知功能同样有效,不同认知领域中只有注意力有改善效果。     

Cognitive Style and Learner Strategy Interaction in the Performance of Primary and Related Maze Tasks

Abstract

The effect of designated learning strategies and reflective versus impulsive cognitive styles on performance in a maze learning task was investigated. Twenty-four female subjects were randomly assigned to a strategy or control group. The strategies group was provided with three potentially effective strategies (imagery, rhythm, and feedback) as identified by an information processing task analysis procedure. The Matching Familiar Figures test further classified subjects within the two groups according to their preferred styles of responding. Eleven primary task trials were administered with direct view of maze and four related task trials were completed with an indirect view of it. Traversal speed and time in the incorrect pathways were analyzed with a 2 × 2 × 7 (Strategies × Cognitive Styles × Trial Blocks) repeated measures ANOVA. A significant three-way interaction was found for both dependent measures. As hypothesized, during the primary task the control reflective subjects traversed the maze more slowly than the control impulsive subjects. However, the strategies reflective subjects completed the maze with the same speed as strategies impulsives. The incorrect pathways × time interaction revealed that the control reflective subjects spent less time in the incorrect pathways during the related task than the control impulsives. No significant differences were found for strategies reflectives or impulsives. These findings indicate that, for this maze task that emphasized speed, the performance of reflective and impulsive subjects was facilitated by appropriate learning strategies.     

Relationship of tennis play to executive function in children and adolescents

This study evaluated the association between the frequency of tennis play and executive function in children and adolescents. One hundred and six junior tennis players (6–15 years old) participated in this study. Executive function, including inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were evaluated at rest. Females showed better inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility than males. In males, more frequent tennis play was associated with higher basic processing speed and inhibitory control after controlling for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and tennis experience. More frequent tennis play was associated with better working memory in both males and females after controlling for age, gender, BMI, and tennis experience. Furthermore, longer tennis experience was related to better cognitive flexibility in males after controlling for age, gender, BMI, and frequency of tennis play. These findings suggest that tennis play is associated with the development of three foundational aspects of executive function (i.e. inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility). Especially, frequent participation in tennis play is related to better inhibitory control and working memory, while longer experience of tennis play is associated with better cognitive flexibility. Although development of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility is slower in males than in females, the associations between tennis play and inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility appear to be larger in males than in females.     

Association of physical fitness and fatness with cognitive function in women with fibromyalgia

This study assessed the association of fitness and fatness with cognitive function in women with fibromyalgia, and the independent influence of their single components on cognitive tasks. A total of 468 women with fibromyalgia were included. Speed of information processing and working memory (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task), as well as immediate and delayed recall, verbal learning and delayed recognition (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) were assessed. Aerobic fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and motor agility were assessed with the Senior Fitness Test battery. Body mass index, percent body fat, fat-mass index and waist circumference were measured. Aerobic fitness was associated with attention and working memory (all, p < 0.05). All fitness components were generally associated with delayed recall, verbal learning and delayed recognition (all, p < 0.05). Aerobic fitness showed the most powerful association with attention, working memory, delayed recall and verbal learning, while motor agility was the most powerful indicator of delayed recognition. None of the fatness parameters were associated with any of the outcomes (all, p > 0.05). Our results suggest that fitness, but not fatness, is associated with cognitive function in women with fibromyalgia. Aerobic fitness appears to be the most powerful fitness component regarding the cognitive tasks evaluated.     

Situational interest in physical education: a function of learning task design

Situational interest is the appealing effect of unique characteristics students recognize in a learning task during interaction with the task. It occurs when a learning task gives the learner a sense of novelty and challenge, demands high attention and exploration intention, and generates instant enjoyment during the person-task interaction. In this study, a repeated measure research design was used to examine the effects of task design on situational interest and the extent to which the effects were mediated by gender, grade, personal interest, and skill levels. Middle school students (N = 242) evaluated situational interest of four learning tasks with different cognitive and physical demands after having experienced the tasks in their physical education classes. Analyzed data showed that cognitive demand of a learning task played a critical role in generating situational interest. Grade levels, gender, and personal interest mediated the effects of task design on situational interest. But these mediation effects seemed rather limited. Physical skill levels had little influence on the effects of task design on situational interest. The findings seem to suggest that to enhance interestingness of a physical activity task, an option for physical educators may be to increase cognitive demand rather than reduce physical demand.     

Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness associations with older adolescent cognitive control

Background:Participation in physical activity supports greater cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF),a correlate of cognitive control.However,the relationship between muscular fitness(MF)and cognitive control is less clear.The present study investigated the differential relationship of CRF and MF with cognitive control in older adolescents.Methods:This cross-sectional study involved students(15
17 years old,n=541,43%female)from 20 secondary schools who completed tests of inhibition(modified flanker task),working memory(n-back task),CRF(Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run),and MF(standing long jump and push-up test).Multilevel analyses tested the association between CRF or MF and cognitive outcomes while accounting for the influence of the other fitness variable and relevant demographic factors.Results:CRF predicted response accuracy during incongruent flanker trials,the condition requiring greater inhibition.For the working memory task,CRF predicted greater target accuracy and greater d’scores on the 1-back task,requiring lesser amounts of working memory.In the 2-back task,which requires greater amounts of working memory,CRF also predicted greater target and non-target accuracy and d’scores.Comparatively,MF did not predict any cognitive outcomes after adjustment for CRF.Conclusion:CRF was selectively related to better performance during task conditions that require greater amounts of inhibition and working memory.This finding suggests that CRF,but not MF,may benefit cognitive control in older adolescents.This selective influence of CRF on older adolescents’cognition highlights the value of aerobic physical activity.     

Physical activity and executive control: implications for increased cognitive health during older adulthood

Electrocortical and behavioral responses of low, moderate, and high physically active older adults were compared with a younger control group on neutral and incompatible conditions of a flankers task. Compared to younger adults, high and moderate active older adults exhibited increased event-related potentials component P3 amplitude for the incompatible condition at the frontal electrode site. For the neutral condition, only low active older adults exhibited decreased amplitude at the central-parietal site, compared to younger adults. P3 latency revealed the longest latencies for low active older adults, followed by moderate active, high active, and younger adults, respectively. Reaction time (RT) data revealed that younger adults exhibited faster RT compared to all three older groups. Results suggest that physical activity may improve executive control function in older adults by affecting the distribution of P3 amplitude, which has been related to memory and attentional processes, and by decreasing P3 latency, which relates to the speed of cognitive processing.     

Is In-Class Physical Activity at Risk in Constructivist Physical Education?

Constructivist physical education emphasizes cognitive engagement. This study examined the impact of a constructivist curriculum on in-class physical activity. Caloric expenditure in metabolic equivalents (MET) and vector magnitude count (VM) data from a random sample of 41 constructivist lessons were compared with those from a random sample of 35 nonconstructivist lessons. Statistical analyses revealed that students in both curriculum conditions were active at a similarly low-moderate level (MET = 2.6 for experimental, 2.5 for comparison, p = .30). Differences (p < .05) were found between the three units within the constructivist curriculum. The findings suggest that the constructivist approach may facilitate knowledge learning with little risk of reducing in-class physical activity.     

Is in-class physical activity at risk in constructivist physical education?

Constructivist physical education emphasizes cognitive engagement. This study examined the impact of a constructivist curriculum on in-class physical activity. Caloric expenditure in metabolic equivalents (MET) and vector magnitude count (VM) data from a random sample of 41 constructivist lessons were compared with those from a random sample of 35 nonconstructivist lessons. Statistical analyses revealed that students in both curriculum conditions were active at a similarly low-moderate level (MET = 2.6 for experimental, 2.5 for comparison, p = .30). Differences (p < .05) were found between the three units within the constructivist curriculum. The findings suggest that the constructivist approach may facilitate knowledge learning with little risk of reducing in-class physical activity.     

体力活动对老年人认知功能影响的研究述评

随着社会进步,人类的平均寿命日益延长,老龄化问题已经凸显,关注老年人的生活质量是全世界需要面对的共同课题.认知功能作为老年人生活质量的重要预测因子之一,其与体力活动的关系已经成为锻炼心理学的热点研究领域之一.本文综述了体力活动对老年人认知功能影响及其机制的研究.在此基础上,提出该领域的后续研究还应深入探讨以下问题：（1）体力活动对老年人认知功能影响的剂量反应效应;（2）体力活动影响老年人认知功能的生理及心理机制.（3）其他练习形式对老年人认知功能的影响.（4）身体锻炼与其他形式的干预相结合的途径及效益.     

Effects of tennis play on executive function in 6–11-year-old children: a 12-month longitudinal study

The present study aimed to assess the effects of 12 months of frequent tennis play on executive functions and the relationships of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), physical competence, and enjoyment of playing tennis to executive functions in children. Thirty-two children (6–11 years old) who had regularly played tennis (once a week; mean?=?3 years, range?=?0–6 years) before the study were enrolled in a 12-month intervention. Participants were allocated into two groups: low-dose (maintain current frequency of tennis play, N?=?19) or high-dose (increased frequency of tennis play to four times per week, N?=?13). Participants’ MVPA, physical competence, enjoyment of playing tennis, and executive functions (i.e. inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) were evaluated before and after this intervention. The high-dose group demonstrated a greater improvement in working memory than the low-dose group, while there was no group difference in MVPA, physical competence, and enjoyment of playing tennis. Changes in MVPA were associated with improvements in cognitive flexibility. Changes in physical competence were associated with improvements in working memory and cognitive flexibility. Changes in the enjoyment of playing tennis were associated with improvements in inhibitory control. The current findings suggest that replacement of MVPA with sports activity, such as tennis enhances executive functions development, and suggest that sports programmes that seek to build competence and enjoyment might help support the development of executive functions in children.     

12周惯性哑铃练习对轻度认知损害老年人的干预效果

目的观察12周惯性哑铃练习对轻度认知损害(MCI)老年人认知功能、身体活动能力、生活质量和睡眠质量的影响,并探讨认知改善与其他功能改变之间的关系。方法将45名MCI老年人随机分为干预组(n=22)和对照组(n=23)。干预组受试者进行惯性哑铃练习(3次/周,60 min/次,持续12周),对照组不进行运动干预。结果 12周后,干预组受试者阿尔茨海默病评定量表-认知部分(ADAS-Cog)总分/指令得分、蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)评分、起立行走计时(TUG)和SF-36健康调查问卷(SF-36)心理总得分均显著改善(均P<0.05)。与对照组相比,干预组受试者ADAS-Cog总分/单词回忆得分/注意力得分、简明精神量表(MMSE)评分、TUG和匹兹堡睡眠指数(PSQI)的改善程度均具有显著差异(P<0.05或P=0.05)。偏相关分析结果显示,SF-36心理总得分改变(r=-0.712)、PSQI改变(r=-0.380)与认知改善程度均呈显著负相关。结论 12周惯性哑铃练习可显著提高MCI老年人的认知功能,并对其移动能力、生活质量和睡眠质量具有积极影响,且心理和睡眠改变程度可能影响认知功能的改善效果。     

The effects of a single night of complete and partial sleep deprivation on physical and cognitive performance: A Bayesian analysis

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of complete and partial sleep deprivation on multiple aspects of athletic performance. Ten males completed a cognitive function test, maximal handgrip strength, countermovement jump (CMJ) and a 15 min all out cycling test to assess aerobic performance. These tests were performed following 3 different sleep conditions; normal sleep (CON), a 4 hr sleep opportunity (PART) and complete sleep deprivation (DEP). Data were analysed using a Bayesian multi-level regression model to provide probabilities of impairment (p = %). Aerobic performance, CMJ and handgrip strength were impaired by 11.4% (p = 100%), 10.9% (p = 100%) and 6% (p = 97%) following DEP, while aerobic performance and CMJ were highly likely impaired by 4.1% (p = 90%) and 5.2% (p = 94%) following PART. Cognitive reaction time was not impacted by PART or DEP. In contrast the accuracy of responses was highly likely impaired by 2% (91) following DEP, while there was less certainty of impaired accuracy following PART (?1%, p = 73). Multiple aspects of physical and cognitive performance were impacted by sleep deprivation. The greatest detrimental effects were seen for aerobic performance and CMJ. Partial sleep deprivation equating to 4 hrs of sleep causes subtle, but potentially important negative impairments on athletic performance.     

Health Worry,Physical Activity Participation,and Walking Difficulty Among Older Adults

This study examined the effect of health worry (i.e., cognitive aspect of anxiety resulting from concern for health) on walking difficulty in a nationally representative sample (N = 7,527) of older adults (M age = 76.83 years). The study further tested whether physical activity mediates the effect of health worry on walking difficulty in a 6-year follow-up design. Results of a mediation analysis using structural equation modeling showed that people with a high degree of health worry engaged in less physical activity (β = -.24, p < .001), and people who participated in less physical activity were more likely to report walking difficulty at the 6-year follow-up (β = -.22, p < .001). There was a significant indirect effect from health worry to walking difficulty through physical activity (β = .05, p < .001), controlling for demographic, psychosocial, and health related factors. Results suggested that inducing threat and worry may not be effective for physical activity promotion in the older population. More promising coping and regulation strategies are discussed.     

Why women see differently from the way men see? A review of sex differences in cognition and sports

The differences of learning and memory between males and females have been well documented and confirmed by both human and animal studies. The sex differences in cognition started from early stage of neuronal development and last through entire lifespan. The major biological basis of the gender-dependent cognitive activity includes two major components: sex hormone and sex-related characteristics, such as sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) protein. However, the knowledge of how much biology of sex contributes to normal cognitive function and elite athletes in various sports are still pretty limited. In this review, we will be focusing on sex differences in spatial learning and memory – especially the role of male- and female-type cognitive behaviors in sports.     

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity,executive functions and prefrontal brain oxygenation in children: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Despite accumulating evidence that regular exercise improves executive functioning, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms have rarely been investigated. The present study aimed to compare cognitive performance as well as task-specific concentration changes in oxygenated haemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex between children with higher and lower moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Physical activity was measured over 7 consecutive days using actigraphy. Afterwards, participants (N = 50) completed verbal fluency tests (VFTs) and mental arithmetic (MA) for the assessment of cognitive flexibility and working memory capacity. During the tasks, changes of oxygenated haemoglobin were measured with functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Using average MVPA of 11-year-old children as cut-point, the sample was divided into children with lower and higher MVPA. Analyses of variance revealed no significant differences in correct and false responses on the cognitive tests between groups. With regard to oxygenated haemoglobin, no group differences were found for concentration changes in response to the cognitive tasks. In conclusion, VFTs and MA increased children’s activation in prefrontal regions associated with cognitive flexibility and working memory, respectively. However, these executive functions and cortical activation were not different between children with lower and higher MVPA.