Speakers
Description
The aim of the study was to (a) examine the acute effects of a Greek traditional dance (GTD) lesson and (b) investigate the separate and/or combined effects of intensity and cognitive demands on school-aged children’s inhibitory control (IC). Ninety-three children (Mage = 7.98+ 0.90 years) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions consisting of a 20-minute GTD lesson and varying in both intensity (high vs low) and cognitive demands (high vs low). Physical activity intensity was measured with accelerometers, while cognitive demands were determined by a panel of experts. IC was measured before and immediately after the interventions with the Attention Network Test. Results showed better “accuracy in congruent trials” for the high cognitive demands groups (F=6.47, p=.013, η2=.07), while no differences were found in the other test’s variables. These findings indicate that GTD teachers should add cognitively engaging activities in their lessons to enhance parameters of IC.
CV
Ioanna Pournara, Spyridoula Vazou, Maria Koutsouba, Fotini Venetsanou
Ioanna Pournara has recently completed her master’s degree in Physical Education and Sports with specialization in gymnastics coaching at the School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian Univerity of Athens. Her research interests focus on children’s physical activity and cognition. Ioanna is committed to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and seeks opportunities to inspire and educate students as a physical education teacher or contribute to academia as a professor.
Spyridoula Vazou is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, working in exercise psychology and pedagogy. Her research interests focus on developing (a) physically active environments to promote learning, cognitive function and academic performance, and (b) strategies to motivate youth to be physically active. Using a whole-child development approach, Spyridoula has developed classroom-based integrated physical activity programs implemented in schools in Iowa.
Maria Koutsouba is a Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is a member of scientific organisations in Greece and abroad, and her research interests and publications are on social and human sciences with emphasis on ethnochoreology/dance anthropology, dance notation and movement analysis, cultural tourism and dance, dance education, as well as on educational innovations such as open and distance learning in dance.
