INTEGRATING COGNITIVE CONTENTS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES: EFFECTS ON COGNITIVE VARIABLES AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

The aim was to analyse the effect of a 4-week programme integrating cognitive contents in Physical Education (CogniPE) on cognitive performance (CP) and emotional intelligence (EI) of adolescents. A randomised controlled trial was conducted with a control group (CG, n=58), which performed physical exercises at low intensity (i.e., stretching or pilates), an experimental group 1, which performed small-sided games of team sports (EG1, n=62), and experimental group 2, which performed CogniPE (EG2, n=60). Intensity of exercises and scores were registered after each station to classify and motivate the teams. Selective attention and concentration increased by 11.9% and 9.2% in EG1, and by 18.2% and 14.4% in EG2, respectively, compared to CG. Mathematical calculation improved by 15.9% and 18.7% in EG1 and EG2, compared to CG. In EI, well-being improved by 10.9% in EG1, sociability improved by 12.8% in EG1 and 15.9% in EG2 compared to CG. It is concluded to use CogniPE in school context.