Efficacy of physical activity training in comparison to the mental training in preadolescent’s attention

Background: Comparing the impact of Physical Activity (PA) with Mental Training (MT) on schoolage children's attention level. Methods: A randomized control trial study was conducted at a primary school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sixty participants (aged 6-9 years) were divided into two intervention programs, with eight sessions over four weeks. The PA program lasted for 40 minutes and included moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, strengthening exercises, and balance. The MT program provided 3-4 exercises per session that lasted 20-30 minutes. Flanker tests and questionnaires were used to assess attention. Results: A significant difference was found in children's attention after the PA (p0.05). Also, a significant negative correlation was found between number of errors and time taken in solving the flanker test, and with the age in the PA group (r=-0.534, p=0.002; r=-0.605, p=<0.001) and in the MT group (r=-0.491, p=0.001; r=0.462, p=0.01). Conclusion: Physical activity with mental training exercise improves children's attention level, sleep quality, academic performance, and addiction to electronic devices after applying the intervention.