The Acute Effects of Actively Play on the ExecutiveFunctions of Thai Children

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a single active play intervention on the executive functions in children. Methods: A quasi-experimental design. Children from two classrooms in the 5th grade were randomly selected. Children in one classroom (n=30) were assigned to an active playgroup, while those from another class (n=30) were assigned to a control group. We tested two components of executive functions (i.e., working memory [the Trails Making Test (TMT)] and inhibitory control [the Stoop Color-Word Test (SCWT)]) at pre-and post-intervention times. Results: There was a significant interaction effect of an active play by time for the TMT and SCWT (p < 0.01). At post-test, children in the active playgroup had better TMT and SCWT scores than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Compared to the pre-test, children in the active playgroup had better TMT and SCWT cores on the post-test (p<0.01), while children in the control group had better TMT1 and SCWT2 scores in the post-test (all p<0.05). Conclusion: Given the improved working memory and inhibitory control, the active play seems to be an effective intervention, even in a single bout.