The beneficial effects of game-based exercise using age-appropriate tennis lessons on the executive functions of 6-12-year-old children.
This study evaluated the effects of two different types of tennis lessons-those involving a technique-based approach (TBA) and those involving a game-based approach (PLAY+STAY [P+S])-on the executive functions (EFs) of junior tennis players. Eighty-one tennis players (6-12 years old) were recruited and assigned to one of three groups: TBA, P+S, or watching TV (CONT). Subjects completed evaluations of EFs (inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) before and after 50min programs. The overall score for EFs improved significantly for both the P+S and TBA groups but not for the CONT group; indeed the CONT group showed no improvement in overall EFs. Furthermore, the overall EF score improved more for P+S participants than for those in TBA. Looking at components of EFs, the pattern for inhibitory control reflected the pattern for the overall EF index: Improvement in the P+S and TBA groups but not in the CONT group. Only the P+S group improved in working memory. Thus, playing tennis and practicing isolated tennis skills both improved EFs of junior players more than did watching TV, and game-based tennis lessons seem to hold more promise for improving EFs than drills of tennis skills.
Department of Physical Fitness Science, Graduate School of Education, Hokkaido University, Japan. Electronic address: t.ishihara@edu.hokudai.ac.jp.
Toru
T
Ishihara
Nagoya Green Tennis Club Group, Japan.
Shigemi
S
Sugasawa
Nagoya Green Tennis Club Group, Japan.
Yusuke
Y
Matsuda
Faculty of Education, Hokkaido University, Japan.
Masao
M
Mizuno
D002648:Child; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013715:Tennis / Q000523:psychology*
Cognitive engaging exercise; Cognitive flexibility; Inhibitory control; Sports activity; Working memory