International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology
Open Access

Abstract

Examining the Impact of Daily Physical Education on Perceptual Speed among Underserved Elementary and Middle School Youth

Reed JA, Kilpatrick E, Malafronte N and King S

Developmental research has demonstrated that Perceptual Speed is related to higher cognitive abilities and linked to physical activity participation. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of 45 minutes of daily physical education on Perceptual Speed among youth attending Legacy Charter School. Methods: An analysis of variance (ANOVA) mixed effect linear model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of 45 minutes of daily physical education and Perceptual Speed among youth in grades 2nd-8th attending Legacy Charter, a Title I school in the southeastern US. Gain scores (final post-test assessment in May 2014 - original pretest assessment in September 2013) were calculated and analyzed for significance and for the interaction between school and time was estimated for each outcome. Each analysis was stratified by gender and adjusted by age to control for baseline differences by school. Two Title I control schools who did not provide daily physical education were identified and utilized as comparisons. Results: Legacy Charter School students observed significant gain increases on: 4 of 4 (p<0.05) Perceptual Speed sections including the Total section, compared to 0 of 4 for controls (p<0.05). Legacy Charter School females significantly improved on Perceptual Speed Section 1 (Gain Score=3.18; F=7.18, df=1,409, p=0.008), Section 2 (Gain Score=2.45; F=7.64, df=1,409, p=0.004) and the Total Section (Gain Score=7.60; F=14.27, df=1,408, p=0.000). Legacy Charter School males significantly improved on Perceptual Speed Section 1, Section 2 and the Total Section (p<0.05) at the post-test assessment as well. Legacy elementary school females and males significantly improved on Perceptual Speed Sections 1 at the post-test assessments (p<0.05); no significant improvements in Perceptual Speed among control elementary school female and male students (p>0.05) were observed. Conclusions: 45 minutes of daily physical education led to increases in Perceptual Speed among Legacy Charter male and female elementary and middle school students.