How a 20-Meter Run Can Boost Your Kid's Brain Power?

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Highlights:

• A 20-meter shuttle run among obese kids improved executive functions and brain health
• Unlike shuttle run, treadmill test did not reveal evident improvement in brain indicators
• The shuttle run test can serve as an effective tool to tailor public health strategies for obese children

Improving child health through physical activity is crucial for overall well-being and aerobic fitness is one of them. Aerobic fitness refers to the body's ability to take in, transport, and utilize oxygen during exercise, commonly measured by assessing cardiovascular endurance or aerobic capacity.

A recent study by the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Granada highlights the significance of aerobic fitness, particularly as measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test, in relation to various aspects of childhood health and brain function (1^✔).

Aerobic Fitness and Brain Health

The study included 100 overweight or obese children aged 8 to 11 years as part of the ActiveBrains study conducted in Granada, Spain.

‘20-meter shuttle run performance correlates with improved brain function and grey matter volume in overweight/obese children. #shuttlerun #obesekids #brainhealth #medindia’

Aerobic fitness was measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test- a widely used method in schools worldwide. Brain health was evaluated through cognitive tests and brain imaging. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was objectively measured during a maximum treadmill test.

The results showed consistent and clear associations with various brain health outcomes in children. The outcomes included cognitive functions, learning, executive functions, academic performance, and brain imaging measures.

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