Effects of a Coordinative Ability Training Program on Adolescents’ Cognitive Functioning

Latino, Francesca; Cataldi, Stefania; Fischetti, Francesco · 2021 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620440

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Summary

This randomized controlled study investigated whether a 12-week coordinative ability training program improves cognitive functioning in adolescents, specifically targeting visuospatial perception, attention, and working memory. The research was motivated by evidence suggesting that physical exercise induces structural and functional brain changes, such as increased gray matter volume and neurotrophic factor release, which may enhance cognitive health and academic achievement. The authors hypothesized that coordinative exercise, which engages complex movement patterns and the cerebellum, would specifically improve cognitive skills relevant to learning. The study involved 60 healthy adolescents (aged 14–15 years) from public schools, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The experimental group underwent a coordinative abilities training program twice weekly for 12 weeks, featuring exercises such as slalom circuits, jump rope, throwing and catching, and balance tasks. The control group received general psycho-physical wellness training, including bodyweight exercises and calisthenics, under similar conditions. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention using two motor tests—the Slalom Bask Test for motion spatial planning and the Throwing and Catching Test for hand-eye coordination—and the Corsi’s Block-Tapping Test to evaluate visuospatial attention and working memory. Statistical analyses included two-way ANOVA to examine Time × Group interactions. Results indicated significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in the Throwing and Catching Test, reflecting enhanced hand-eye coordination, with a large effect size. Crucially, the experimental group also demonstrated significant improvements in the Corsi’s Block-Tapping Test, indicating enhanced visuospatial attention and working memory, also with a large effect size. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the control group for these measures. However, there was no significant difference between groups in the Slalom Bask Test, suggesting that motion spatial planning did not improve significantly within the 12-week timeframe. The findings demonstrate that a structured coordinative ability training program can significantly enhance specific cognitive functions, particularly visuospatial attention and working memory, in adolescents. The authors conclude that these cognitive improvements are likely due to the complex nature of coordinative exercises, which optimize visual and spatial processing strategies. These results have significant implications for educational settings, suggesting that integrating coordinative physical exercise into school curricula could support academic achievement by strengthening the cognitive foundations necessary for learning, such as concentration and information manipulation.

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• cognitive capacity variation