Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewThe association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance: a systematic review of the literature.
The purpose of this review is to synthesize the scientific literature that has examined the association between school-based physical activity (including physical education) and academic performance (including indicators of cognitive skills and attitudes, academic behaviors, and academic achievement). ⋯ Results suggest physical activity is either positively related to academic performance or that there is not a demonstrated relationship between physical activity and academic performance. Results have important implications for both policy and schools.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
Completion and timing of the three-dose human papillomavirus vaccine series among adolescents attending school-based health centers in Oregon.
Many adolescents do not complete the 3-dose human papillomavirus vaccine series in the recommended time frame, or at all. Given the challenges of administering a multi-dose vaccine to adolescents, especially those in vulnerable populations, we evaluated completion of the human papillomavirus vaccine series in 19 of Oregon's school-based health centers. ⋯ Even in challenging conditions, school-based health centers provide excellent preventive care to vulnerable youth. These results support the importance of maintaining and expanding school-based health center access in vulnerable adolescent populations.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewA review of chronic and acute physical activity participation on neuroelectric measures of brain health and cognition during childhood.
A growing body of research has detailed the beneficial relation of chronic participation in--and acute responses to--physical activity on aspects of cognition that underlie scholastic achievement. Here, we review the relevant neuroelectric findings on this beneficial relation in children, providing support for the influence of physical activity on specific cognitive processes that comprise academic performance. ⋯ Physical activity may influence brain health and cognition in children, leading to enhanced scholastic performance and greater overall effective functioning across the lifespan.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewImpact of short bouts of physical activity on attention-to-task in elementary school children.
The study's objective was to describe the measurement of on-task behavior and review the research on the effects of short physical activity breaks on attention-to-task in elementary school students, with a particular focus on a promising approach to improving on-task behavior with short bouts of physical activity in the classroom setting. ⋯ Attention-to-task is a variable that directly relates to concerns of classroom teachers. The limited available research has demonstrated moderate to good evidence that physical activity during the school day improves attention-to-task in elementary school students. Because of the positive effects of physical activity on attention-to-task, it is recommended that elementary school teachers consider implementing physical activity sessions throughout the school day in the form of recess and classroom-based physical activities.