The Effects of Acute, Vigorous Exercise on Attention

Abstract

This study investigated the affects of acute, high-intensity exercise on student attention. Twenty-five sixth grade students received the treatment, but I focused on one student's behavior for the study. I measured the student's behavior through a time-sampling process, recording ten, thirty-second intervals as showing either problem or adaptive behaviors. The treatment was a 2-minute routine of high-intensity exercises, including running in place, squats and squats with jumping. To measure the effect of the treatment, I observed the student's behavior three days to gather baseline data. Then, I implemented the treatment three days, observing the student's behavior immediately following exercise. Although there was not a large improvement in behavior after exercise, the study showed more adaptive behaviors and fewer problem behaviors at the week than the beginning. These results suggest the importance for this student of incorporating engaging student activities at the beginning of the week.