Efectos agudos de los descansos activos sobre la atención selectiva en escolares Acute effects of active breaks on selective attention in schoolchildren

Abstract

Physical activity seems to show positive effects on selective attention. Active breaks seem to be a strategy to implement in schools to improve the selective attention of schoolchildren. The current literature does not conclude with which type, duration and intensity of physical activity the greatest effects on attention are achieved. The aim of this study was to analyse the acute effects of active breaks on selective attention. It was carried out using a quantitative methodology and pre-post design with no control group. Seventy-five schoolchildren between 10 and 12 years of age participated, distributed among three experimental conditions. The d2 test was used before and after the break to measure selective attention. The first experimental group took a passive break based on reading, the second an active break based on moderate-intensity intervallic physical activity and the third group an active break based on high-intensity intervallic physical activity. The breaks took place inside the classrooms. A significant improvement was shown for the group that performed the high-intensity intervalic active rest compared to the other two groups. In conclusion, high-intensity active breaks could be a viable strategy to favour the improvement of selective attention.