The purpose of the current study is to analyze the relationships between physical fitness, selective attention, and academic performance in pre-teens. The sample here consists of 135 participants between the ages of 10 and 12 (M = 11.05; SD = 0.61), with 39.26% female (n = 53) and 60.74% male (n = 82) participants. Horizontal and vertical jump distances, speed, and cardio-respiratory fitness were evaluated to assess physical fitness. The d2 Test of Attention was used to evaluate selective attention. In addition, data were obtained regarding participant academic performance by analyzing the academic performance. The results show significant relationships between the measures analyzed, highlighting positive associations between physical fitness, cognitive functioning, and academic performance. Thus, participants who were fitter scored better on tests of attention (Z₁₃₃ = −4.07; p < 0.00007, Cohen’s d = 0.75, 95% CI (0.39, 1.11)) and concentration (t₁₃₃ = −3.84; p < 0.0007, Cohen’s d = 0.69, 95% CI (0.33, 1.05)), as well as having higher academic performance (Z₁₃₃ = −2.84; p < 0.0035, Cohen’s d = 0.39, 95% CI (0.04, 0.75)). Cardiorespiratory fitness was the measure of physical fitness that best explained these relationships. The results suggest that maintaining and improving the physical fitness of children and adolescents may help their brain function develop better.

The regular practice of physical activity contributes to weight control and improves maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), socialization and quality of life. To determine the effect of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on body composition and VO2max in a group of overweight school-age males. We studied fifty-five overweight males aged 15.6 ± 0.7 years. Participants were divided in two groups (experimental and control groups). The intervention in the experimental group was the practice of small-sided games during 60 minutes, two days per week and during 11 weeks. At baseline and the end of the intervention, body composition was measured using bioimpedance and VO2max was calculated using the Course Navette test. A 7% reduction in the percentage of body fat and a 9% increase in VO2max were observed in the experimental group (p < 0.01). No changes were recorded in the control group. Eleven weeks of small-sided exercises performed twice per week increased VO2max and reduced fat mass in overweight adolescents.

Introduction: Block strength training has been proposed as a useful and practical strategy to reverse the effects of aging in community-dwelling older adults. However, the effects of block strength training based on the nature of exertion on functional autonomy and life quality of older women living in the community are unknown. Objective: To determine the effects of a Block Strength Training program based on the level of effort on functional autonomy and self-perceived life quality in community-dwelling older women. Methodology: Eighteen older women (71.1 ± 8.01 years) residing in the community volunteered for the study. The study had a pre-experimental design with pre- and post-tests. The block strength training is 12 weeks and divided into three blocks of 4 weeks each. The study variables were functional autonomy, assessed with the GDLAM protocol, and self-perceived life quality, assessed with WHOQOL-BREF. Differences between pre- and post-intervention were performed using t-tests and Wilcoxon tests, both for related samples (p < 0.05). Results: After applying the 12-week block strength training, 4 of the five tests of the GDLAM protocol showed significant improvements (p < 0.05). Likewise, 2 of the four dimensions of the WHOQOL-Bref showed significant improvements (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A Block Strength Training program based on the level of effort significantly improves functional autonomy and self-perceived life quality in older women community residents. Consequently, this methodology is effective and practical for promoting healthy aging in the community.