Physical Activities
Bherer, L., Erickson, K. I., & Liu-Ambrose, T. (2013). A review of the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognitive and brain functions in older adults. Journal of aging research, 2013.
The authors conducted this study in a bid to review the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognitive and brain functions in older adults. Several studies have been done to assess whether physical activities have a significant impact on mental health. Therefore, Erickson and Ambrose decided to put together the research findings from different researches in the extensive field of research. The motivation behind the researchers’ involvement in the research is due to the vast development of the notion that physical activities help in alleviating the negative impacts of aging on the body and the brain. The findings from the various researches showed that individuals with improved physical activities have better body health. The article is crucial in providing additional information needed in the research on brain health and physical activities.
Erickson, K. I., Miller, D. L., Weinstein, A. M., Akl, S. L., & Banducci, S. (2012). Physical activity and brain plasticity in late adulthood: a conceptual and comprehensive review. Ageing Research, 3(1), e6-e6.
Erickson and Weinstein conducted a study to assess the relationship between physical activity and brain plasticity in late adulthood. The increasing evidence from science on the contribution of physical activities in preventing several brain problems that comes with the advancement in age. The authors have researched the amount of exercise required for the health of the brain. The findings in this research show that physical activity is effective in improving brain health. This article is important in this study because the information concerning the level of physical training that is required for better health is provided. The information found in this article compares findings from several researchers, and thus, the research can be said to be authentic.
Gall, S., Adams, L., Joubert, N., Ludyga, S., Müller, I., Nqweniso, S., … & Steinmann, P. (2018). Effect of a 20-week physical activity intervention on selective attention and academic performance in children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods: A cluster randomized control trial. PloS one, 13(11), e0206908.
A study was done on the impact of physical activities on the academic performance of disadvantaged children in South Africa. The study considered a controlled experiment on students from eight schools who were exposed to different levels of physical activities. Also, the study was based on a 20-week school-based physical activity program and the performance assessed at the end of the study. In the assessment of the performance, a d2 test was employed, and the results used to analyze the claim on the impact of physical training. After the analysis, maintenance on the academic performance was noticed on the students who were undertaking the physical activities while the students on the control group were found to be decreasing. The article is important in the research since academic performance is related to brain health. Therefore, the authors contribute positively towards the research on brain health and physical activities.
Sims-Gould, J., Vazirian, S., Li, N., Remick, R., & Khan, K. (2017). Jump step-a community based participatory approach to physical activity & mental wellness. BMC psychiatry, 17(1), 319.
The authors conducted this study owing to the increased laxity on engaging in physical activities despite the knowledge of the benefits of physical activities. The issue of physical inactivity pandemic is, unfortunately, taking roots on the people with knowledge on the benefits of physical activity but have mood disorders. The individuals assessed in the study were in community-based physical activity programs, and the researchers were trying to assess the effectiveness of community-based physical activities. The analysis of the data was crucial in ensuring that the results found were reliable for making conclusions. The researchers concluded that social connection with family and friends was among the facilitators of physical activities. The importance of this article is based on the provision of information related to the facilitators of physical activities. Therefore, the facilitators can be improved to change the lifestyles of individuals.