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
Study Type
Enrollment (Actual)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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Jaén, Spain, 23007
- Agustín Aibar Almazán
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
- Child
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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: Single
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
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No Intervention: Control Group
The control group that will continue with their usual school routine
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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.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
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Self-Concept
Time Frame: Up to twelve weeks
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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.
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Up to twelve weeks
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Self-Esteem
Time Frame: Up to twelve weeks
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Assessed using the Spanish version of the Self-Esteem Test for Schoolchildren, a questionnaire evaluating children's positive and negative self-image.
The instrument consists of 23 scored dichotomous (Yes/No) items.
Total scores range from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem.
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Up to twelve weeks
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Self-efficacy
Time Frame: Up to twelve weeks
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Assessed using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), a 24-item questionnaire measuring academic, social, and emotional self-efficacy.
Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater perceived self-efficacy.
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Up to twelve weeks
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Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Actual)
Study Completion (Actual)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- University A
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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