Enhancing cognitive function through physical education: the impact of physical education activity on attention and focus

Aim: This study investigates the impact of an enhanced physical education (PE) program on attentional functions in middle school students. The aim is to evaluate whether increasing physical education hours, emphasizing cognitive tasks and team-based activities, could positively influence students’ executive functions. Methods: The study involved four middle school classes in Italy. Two classes participated in the standard PE curriculum lessons for two hours per week, while the other two classes engaged in an intensified program for four hours weekly, focusing more on team-play and activities that develop cognitive skills. Results: Findings indicate that students in the intensified program demonstrated faster and more accurate attention responses than those in the control group. This suggests that a more holistic physical education approach incorporating cognitive challenges and strategic team exercises may enhance students’ executive functioning. Conclusion: These findings are relevant for designing educational programs that leverage physical activity to boost academic performance. They also underscore the value of integrating physical activity into the broader educational curriculum, positioning it as a core component that contributes to students’ cognitive growth and overall learning experience rather than merely a means for physical education.