Synergies Between Exercise and Abacus in Childhood.

Synergies Between Physical Exercise and the Abacus and Their Effects on Improving Academic Learning and Well-being in Childhood.

This study investigates the synergistic effects of physical exercise and abacus training on enhancing academic performance and well-being in children. It aims to establish a comprehensive educational framework that leverages the cognitive benefits of both physical activity and mental math skills. Research indicates that regular physical exercise not only contributes to better physical health but also significantly enhances cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Studies have shown that active children tend to perform better academically due to improved brain function and increased focus. Simultaneously, abacus training has been recognized for its role in developing mathematical skills and cognitive abilities. It promotes visual-spatial reasoning and enhances memory retention, which can lead to better performance in mathematics and related subjects.

By integrating these two methods, seeks to provide children with a holistic approach to learning, fostering not only academic success but also emotional and psychological resilience. Preliminary findings suggest that children engaged in combined physical and cognitive training programs show notable improvements in their academic outcomes and overall well-being compared to those who participate in traditional learning environments. The project emphasizes the importance of creating educational strategies that prioritize comprehensive child development, suggesting that a balanced approach involving both physical exercise and cognitive training tools like the abacus can lead to significant benefits in children's learning experiences.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Childhood
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Exercise & Abacus

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 82
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Jaén, Spain, 23007
    • Agustín Aibar Almazán

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• School-aged children, ages 6-7.
• Students who are able to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity without medical restrictions and are able to handle the abacus.
• Students who can regularly participate in the intervention program sessions and follow-up assessments.
• Voluntary participation, with informed consent signed by parents or legal guardians.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with health conditions that prevent them from safely engaging in physical activity or using the abacus (e.g., heart disease, severe respiratory problems, motor disabilities that limit physical activity).
• Students with severe cognitive or learning disabilities that may significantly interfere with the use of the abacus or the ability to equitably benefit from the intervention.
• Children who are unable to commit to continued participation in the program, whether for personal or logistical reasons.
• Students who are involved in other extracurricular or school programs focused on cognitive or physical training, to avoid overlapping effects of other interventions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group; The control group that will continue with their usual school routine
Experimental: Experimental Group; The experimental group will participate in weekly sessions that integrate physical exercise and the use of the abacus. This will include physical activities such as sports, outdoor games or physical education classes, for approximately two hours a week. In addition, they will receive teaching sessions that incorporate the abacus to develop mathematical and problem-solving skills.	Other: Exercise & Abacus; Features two main interventions: physical exercise sessions and abacus training activities. Physical Exercise Sessions aim to enhance fitness and cognitive function through activities like aerobic exercises and team sports. Research indicates that regular physical activity can improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills essential for academic success. Abacus Training Activities focus on developing mathematical skills and cognitive abilities. Children learn to manipulate the abacus for calculations, which enhances numerical understanding and memory retention, positively impacting academic performance. The program's innovative dual approach suggests that integrating physical and cognitive training can lead to greater improvements in academic performance and emotional resilience than either intervention alone.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Concentration	The capacity to maintain focus over extended periods. The Concentration Test measures children's ability to concentrate, with scores ranging from 0 to 100. Scores below 60 indicate poor concentration, 60-80 suggest average concentration, and scores above 80 indicate strong concentration abilities.	Up to twelve weeks
Physical Well-Being	Encompasses overall physical health, including fitness levels. Measured using the Physical Fitness Test, which provides a composite score from various fitness activities. A score below the 50th percentile indicates below-average physical fitness, while scores above the 50th percentile indicate average or above-average physical fitness.	Up to twelve weeks
Self-Concept	The perception children have of themselves, influencing their motivation and learning strategies. Measured using the Self-Concept Scale for Children, scores range from 20 to 80, with scores below 50 indicating low self-concept, scores between 50-70 indicating average self-concept, and scores above 70 indicating a high self-concept.	Up to twelve weeks
Self-Esteem	Refers to the value and respect children have for themselves. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale will be utilized, where scores range from 0 to 30. A score below 15 indicates low self-esteem, scores between 15-25 suggest moderate self-esteem, and scores above 25 indicate high self-esteem.	Up to twelve weeks
Attention	The ability to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring distractions. Attention levels will be assessed using the Test of Variables of Attention, with a scoring range of 0 to 100. A score below 70 suggests attention deficits, while scores between 70-85 indicate average attention, and scores above 85 suggest above-average attention.	Up to twelve weeks
Creativity	The ability to think outside the box and generate new ideas. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking will be employed, where scores range from 0 to 100. Scores below 60 indicate low creativity, 60-80 suggest average creativity, and scores above 80 indicate high creativity.	Up to twelve weeks
Mental Well-Being	Refers to emotional health and the ability to cope with stress. The General Health Questionnaire will be utilized, where scores range from 0 to 36. A score above 12 suggests potential mental health issues, scores between 6-12 indicate moderate mental well-being, and scores below 6 indicate good mental health.	Up to twelve weeks
Cognitive Performance	Involves skills such as memory and problem-solving, assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. The total IQ score ranges from 40 to 160, where scores below 70 indicate intellectual disability, scores between 70-85 indicate borderline intellectual functioning, and scores above 85 indicate average or above-average cognitive performance.	Up to twelve weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Jaén

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 2, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 20, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): June 26, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 26, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 26, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): October 29, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 30, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 28, 2024
• Last Verified: October 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: University A

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No