Royal Center

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a 12-week school-based intervention combining mindfulness with high-intensity interval training MF-HIIT compared to mindfulness-only, high-intensity interval training-only, and sedentary activities on executive function EF in children aged 8 to 12 years. The study aims to determine whether the combined MF-HIIT intervention leads to greater improvements in EF performance than the other interventions or sedentary behavior. This randomized controlled trial involves multiple cohorts participating over one semester, including pretest, intervention, and posttest phases. During the 12-week intervention, participants receive two 10-minute sessions per school day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, of either MF-HIIT, HIIT-only, MF-only, or sedentary activities, conducted in classrooms. The intervention uses a behavioral approach with the classroom as the unit of intervention. Before and after the intervention, various assessments are conducted including intelligence testing, aerobic fitness, muscle endurance, flexibility, body mass index, mindfulness questionnaires, and computerized tasks measuring EF. Participants and their parents complete initial tests such as the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test and Fitnessgram, along with questionnaires and demographic data collection. After the intervention, the same fitness, mindfulness, and EF assessments are repeated. Researchers compare outcomes like inhibition speed and accuracy, updating and shifting abilities, aerobic capacity, muscle endurance, flexibility, body composition, and mindfulness measures across the different intervention groups. The study includes safety screening to ensure participants can perform exercise, and the total study duration aligns with a school semester.