Acute and chronic effects of swimming exercises on executive functions in children

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of acute and chronic swimming exercises on attention, inhibition and working memory, which are sub-paradigms of executive functions, in boys aged 9-11. Method: There were 2 groups in the study, namely the Swimming Exercise Group (YEG) and the Control Group (KG) (n=24). A swimming exercise program was applied to YEG (n=24), 8 weeks/3 days/ 45 minutes, at 60-70% of heart rate. D2 Attention test, Eriksen Flanker test, Walking Corsi Block test were applied to both groups at the beginning and end of the study to determine the effect of acute swimming exercise on executive functions. Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) was determined by the Borg Scale immediately after the aerobic capacity test applied at the beginning and end of the study. In addition, at the beginning of the study, the physical activity level of all children was determined with the short form of The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In order to determine the effects of chronic swimming exercise, the same tests were applied before the first exercise in the 1st week and 48 hours after the 24th exercise. Results: In the measurements made before and after the swimming exercise, a difference was found in the Flanker DYO at the 1st week in YEG, and in the KG at the 1st week and 8th week. A difference was found in YEG in time-dependent change. A difference was found in YEG in time-dependent change. A significant difference was found in the 1st week and 8th week in both groups in the acute measurements in Walct. A significant difference was found in YEG in time-dependent change. In the D2 Attention test measurements, a time-dependent and intergroup difference was found in the total performance score (TNE) and total error score (ET) obtained as a result of subtracting error scores from the total number of items scanned in both groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: It has been found that regular swimming exercise has both acute and chronic positive effects on aerobic capacity and executive functions.