Comparison of the Effectiveness of Intensive Aerobic Exercise, Mindfulness Training, and a Integration of Exercise and Mindfulness on the Academic Performance of Fourth-Grade Elementary Students.

The aim of this research was to compare the effectiveness of an aerobic exercise program, a mindfulness training program, and a integration of aerobic exercise and mindfulness training on the academic performance of fourth-grade female students. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design including a control group. The statistical population consisted of all fourth-grade female students from public elementary schools in Amol city during the academic year ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱, from which ۹۰ students were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to four groups: aerobic exercise program, mindfulness training, integration of aerobic exercise and mindfulness, and a control group (each experimental group consisting of ۲۳ participants and the control group consisting of ۲۱ participants). Subsequently, ۱۸ sessions of ۳۰-minute training were designed and conducted every other day. To collect data in the pre-test and post-test, the Academic Performance Questionnaire by Fam and Taylor (EPT) was used. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance and SPSS۲۲ software. The results indicated a significant difference in the academic performance of participants in all three groups: aerobic exercise program (Eta=۰.۵۹), mindfulness training (Eta=۰.۴۹), and the integration of aerobic exercise and mindfulness (Eta=۰.۵۶) compared to the control group (P≤۰.۰۵). However, participants in the integration group of aerobic exercise and mindfulness performed better than the other two training groups. These results suggest that integrating mindfulness training and aerobic exercise can be an effective strategy for improving the academic performance of fourth-grade female students.

کلیدواژه ها:

Academic Performance ، integration of exercise and mindfulness ، Mindfulness ، physical training ، quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with a control group