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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Acute psychosocial stress and working memory performance: the potential of physical activity to modulate cognitive functions in children

Authors: Kathrin Wunsch, Maria Meier, Lea Ueberholz, Jana Strahler, Nadine Kasten

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Research suggests that physical activity (PA) enhances cognitive performance and prevents stress-related impairments of higher order cognitive functions like working memory (WM) performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of PA on WM performance after acute stress exposure in preadolescent children.

Methods

Regular PA was assessed for seven consecutive days during a typical school week using accelerometers in a sample of 44 preadolescent children (14 girls, M_age = 11.29 years, SD_age = 0.67). Following this period, participants performed an automated operational span (OSPAN) task immediately after being exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C).

Results

Children exhibited prototypical response slopes in salivary cortisol and salivary α-amylase as markers of the endocrine and autonomic stress response immediately after psychosocial stress induction. A subsequent two-way ANOVA comparing high- and low-stress responders revealed a significant interaction between group affiliation and PA level on WM performance for both stress markers. Interestingly, best WM performance was demonstrated in children showing both high PA levels and high cortisol (or low α-amylase, respectively) stress responses.

Conclusions

Though patterns differed for salivary cortisol and salivary α-amylase, overall findings suggest that PA buffers the negative effects of stress on cognitive performance in children.

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Title: Acute psychosocial stress and working memory performance: the potential of physical activity to modulate cognitive functions in children
Authors: Kathrin Wunsch
Maria Meier
Lea Ueberholz
Jana Strahler
Nadine Kasten
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1637-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Acute psychosocial stress and working memory performance: the potential of physical activity to modulate cognitive functions in children

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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