6533b7d7fe1ef96bd1267bec
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Motor and cognitive growth following a Football Training Program
Johnny PaduloAntonino BiancoMarianna AlesiMarco PetrucciAntonio PaoliAnnamaria PepiGiorgio LuppinaAntonio Palmasubject
medicine.medical_specialtyElementary cognitive taskPsychology (all)lcsh:BF1-990Poison controlchikdrenFootballSettore M-PSI/04 - Psicologia Dello Sviluppo E Psicologia Dell'Educazionevisual discrimination; Children; Football Exercise Program; Motor skills; Visual selective attention; Psychology (all)Physical medicine and rehabilitationCognitive resource theorymedicineCognitive developmentPsychologyVisual selective attentionChildrenGeneral PsychologyMotor skillOriginal Researchvisual discriminationmotor skillsHuman factors and ergonomicsCognitionFootball Exercise Programlcsh:PsychologyPhysical therapyMotor skillPsychologySettore M-EDF/01 - Metodi E Didattiche Delle Attivita' Motoriedescription
Football may be a physical and sport activities able to improve motor and cognitive growth in children. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess whether a Football Training Program taken over 6 months would improve motor and cognitive performances in children. Motor skills concerned coordinative skills, running and explosive legs strength. Cognitive abilities involved visual discrimination times and visual selective attention times.Forty-six children with chronological age of ~9.10 years, were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=24) attended a Football Exercise Program and Group 2 (n=22) was composed of sedentary children.Their abilities were measured by a battery of tests including motor and cognitive tasks. Football Exercise Program resulted in improved running, coordination and explosive leg strength performances as well as shorter visual discrimination times in children regularly attending football courses compared with their sedentary peers. On the whole these results support the thesis that the improvement of motor and cognitive abilities is related not only to general physical activity but also to specific ability related to the ball. Football Exercise Programs is assumed to be a natural and enjoyable tool to enhance cognitive resources as well as promoting and encouraging the participation in sport activities from early development.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-10-01 |