Effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness:A multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial

Purpose:To examine the effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness in children aged 7-8 years.Methods:Twenty schools in 5 different European countries(2 second-grade classrooms per school)participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial(Sport at School trial).Participants were assigned to either a control group,which continued with their habitual physical education lessons,or to an intervention group,which replaced these lessons with a 1-year karate intervention(Karate Mind and Movement program).A total of 721 children(344 girls and 377 boys,7.4±0.5 years old,mean±SD)completed the study,of which 333 and 388 were assigned to the control group and intervention group,respectively.Outcomes included academic performance(average grade),psychosocial functioning(Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents),and different markers of physical fitness(cardiorespiratory fitness,balance,and flexibility).Results:The intervention provided small but significant benefits compared to the control group for academic achievement(d=0.16;p=0.003),conduct problems(d=-0.28;p=0.003),cardiorespiratory fitness(d=0.36;p<0.001),and balance(d=0.24;p=0.015).There was a trend towards significant benefits for flexibility(d=0.24;p=0.056).No significant benefits were observed for other variables,including psychosocial difficulties,emotional symptoms,hyperactivity/inattention,peer problems,or prosocial behaviour(all p>0.05).Conclusion:A 1-year school-based karate intervention was effective in improving academic achievement,conduct problems,and physical fitness in primary school children.The results support the inclusion of karate during physical education lessons.

Training session intensity affects plasma redox status in amateur rhythmic gymnasts

Purpose:The aim of this study was to examine systemic responses of oxidant/antioxidant status following 2 training sessions of different intensity in amateur rhythmic gymnasts.Methods:Before the experimental training,10 female gymnasts performed a gradually increased exercise test to assess maximal heart rate,maximal oxygen consumption,and anaerobic threshold.They executed 2 intermittent training sessions separated by 48 h of recovery(48 h-post R):the first was performed at low-moderate intensity(LMI)and the second at high intensity(HI).Blood samples were collected immediately preand post-training and 48 h-post R.Hydroperoxide level(OxL)and total antioxidant capacity(TAC)were photometrically measured.Results:OxL was significantly higher in post-training and 48 h-post R following HI than the same conditions after an LMI session(HI vs.LMI post-training:381.10±46.17(mean±SD)vs.344.18±27.94 Units Carratelli(U.CARR);48 h-post R:412.21±26.61 vs.373.80±36.08 U.CARR).There was no change in TAC between the 2 training sessions investigated.In LMI training,OxL significantly decreased in post-training and increased to reach the baseline at 48 h-post R,whereas TAC increased only at 48 h-post R.In HI training,OxL significantly increased to reach a high oxidative stress 48 h-post R,whereas TAC was lower in post-training than pre-training.Conclusion:The pattern of OxL and TAC levels implies different regulation mechanisms by HI and LMI training sessions.High oxidative stress induced by an HI protocol might be associated with both insufficient TAC and recovery time at 48 h necessary to restore redox balance.