The article for review is by Piya-Amornphan, N., Santiworakul, A., Cetthakrikul, S., & Srirug, P. (2020). Physical activity and creativity of children and youths. BMC Pediatrics. The research article states that childhood is critical for developing mature thought. Evidence of the link between physical exercise and cognitive performance is mounting. Despite reports that physical activity is connected with emotional and intellectual quotients, more research needs to be published on the relationship between physical exercise and cognitive performance in children and teens. Regarding creativity, a crucial talent for the twenty-first century, there must be more data about fostering creativity in kids. Thus, the current study investigates the relationship between creativity and physical exercise.
The article starts by giving a thorough summary of the connections between physical exercise and children’s and teenagers’ health and cognitive results. In particular, the background section highlights the importance of physical exercise in improving the general health of kids and young adults while lowering their risk of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cancer, and depression. The WHO’s guidelines for physical activity levels for adults and children are also highlighted in this section. The worldwide matrix of grades’ nine typical measures of physical activity is covered in this article. The article goes on to highlight how important it is for families and peers to encourage physical exercise among kids and teenagers. Children’s levels of physical activity are significantly influenced by their family and peers.Peer relationships enhance engagement in team sports and other physical and recreational activities, according to research, and parenting philosophies have an impact on children’s play preferences. The relationship between physical exercise and cognitive function is also covered in the article; studies have shown that physical activity enhances brain function, academic achievement, and cognitive performance. Studies relating physical exercise to greater emotional and intellectual quotients (EQ) and IQ are cited in the article.
The study design, sampling strategy, data collecting techniques, and statistical analysis employed in the investigation are presented in the article’s methods section. The stratified sampling technique was used in the article. The study employed a multistage stratified cluster sampling technique to recruit participants. The classification took into account the differences in the physical and cognitive development criteria for every age group. All children in excellent health took part in the study. Not every student stated that they suffered from skeletal or other conditions that make it difficult for them to exercise. We assessed the physical activity data set, the Student Questionnaire (TPACS-SQ), and the Thailand Physical Activity Children Survey. TPACS-SQ was created for each age group to take into consideration the differences in student maturity and ability as defined by Thailand’s age structure and educational system. Creativity was assessed using the Test for Creative Thinking-Drawing Production (TCT-DP). All analysis for the study was done using SPSS V21. To compare the degrees of creativity and physical activity indicators among age groups, the Kruskal-Wallis test was employed. The correlation between the physical activity markers was then demonstrated by correlation analysis using Spearman’s correlation. Regression analysis was also performed to ascertain the impact of the physical activity indicator on the creativity score.
The findings portion included a detailed examination of the participant’s characteristics, patterns, physical activity, creativity scores, and the relationship between biological activity markers and creativity in children and teens. All of the children in the research were in good health, and any health concerns were found using the class teacher’s health report. Not a single student mentioned having a health problem. The duration trends of the physical activity indicators were similar for all age groups. They spent most of their time playing energetically, spent the most time sitting still, and spent the least time interacting with friends and family. The study found a link between physical play and creativity in people between the ages of 14 and 17. The study employed regression analysis to investigate the impact of active play on creativity. It has been shown that TCT-DP did not require active play. The study’s findings also showed that, although there was some association between each indicator, the biggest correlation was found between associating with family and friends and engaging in active play.
The study’s findings showed that children and teenagers in Thailand exhibited high levels of sedentary behavior together with low levels of physical activity and active play. These results also indicate an increase in the sedentary lives and physical inactivity of kids and teenagers. The study highlights how concerning this phenomenon in kids and teenagers should be because sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity have increased the burden of various morbidities and early death across the globe. The study found that the negative impacts of growing levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior may be countered while boosting children’s and teenagers’ health by decreasing sedentary behavior and encouraging active play and socializing with family and friends.
A limitation of the research was that the health condition was ascertained only by examining a health report obtained from a teacher. Further data on health conditions and demographics should be considered in future studies. The study suggests that longitudinal studies should be conducted in the future to investigate the changes in these characteristics in teens who participate in high and low levels of physical exercise. It is important to measure behaviors objectively and create a screening tool to determine the amount of time spent with friends and family.
References
Piya-Amornphan, Nitita, et al. “Physical activity and creativity of children and youths.” BMC Pediatrics 20 (2020): 1–7.
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