EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON SLEEP QUALITY, INHIBITORY CONTROL, WORKING MEMORY AND COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY AMONG ADOLESCENT STUDENTS

RESUMO

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Manzari Tavakoli*, Prof. Masoumeh Shojaei, Keyvan Molanorouzi

Background: The objective of this current research is to examine the impacts of a physical activity intervention on sleep quality and executive functions. Specifically, we will examine whether moderate-intensity resistance training has a more beneficial impact on sleep quality and executive functions among a sample of male adolescent than an active control condition.

Method: Male children, aged 12-14 years as participants were enlisted to participate in the ongoing intervention study. Subsequently, they were randomly allocated to either a resistance training or to an active control condition. Participants were under go sleep quality and executive function tests included inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility at the start of the study, eight weeks following the interventions conclusion, and once more, four weeks later during the follow-up period. The resistance intervention was consist of three 45min group sessions per week, across eight consecutive weeks.

Results: Result showed that compared to an active control condition and compared to the baseline, participating in the resistance training program lead to significant improvements in sleep quality and execution functions over time.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study have the potential to provide guidance to physical educators, parents or to children themselves regarding the question of how they can effectively improve their sleep, physical fitness and cognitive performance, which in turn might have a positive effect on their academic function and their perceived quality of life.