Effects of Brain Breaks on Educational Achievement in Laboratory Settings: The Break4Brain Project

Effects of Brain Breaks on Educational Achievement in Children With and Without ADHD: The Break4Brain Project

Advancement in teaching methods, together with the frenetic change in the lifestyles of the school population, provides a unique opportunity to advance scientific knowledge. The current project, called "The Break4Brain Project", aims to examine the acute (transient) effects of physical activity on brain function, cognition, and academic performance in children with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specifically, a total of 60 children between 10 and 12 years old will be included with (n=30) and without (n=30) ADHD. The study will use an intra-subject design of isolated conditions with four measurement moments where the children will perform three different experimental conditions lasting 10 minutes, which will be randomized in a counterbalanced manner. These experimental conditions will be based on physical activity engaging cognitively, physical activity without engaging cognitively, and cognitively engaging control condition. This project could have a significant impact in the educational field, since, if brain function, cognition, and academic performance prove to be favorably stimulated, acutely, by physical activity through active breaks, these could be prescribed as an effective teaching strategy for children with and without ADHD in the school setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 10-12 years diagnosed with ADHD by a recognized diagnostic procedure.
• Children aged 10-12 years without any neurodevelopmental impairment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children who have serious physical or mental disorders.