The Role of Brain-derived Neurotropic Factor in the Relationship Between Executive Function and Physical Training

University Ghent

Status: Completed

Conditions: Child; Motor Activity; Executive Dysfunction

Treatments: Behavioral: physical training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02503579

2015/0520

Details and patient eligibility

About

This doctoral thesis has the aim to identify the role of Brain-derived neurotropic factor in the relationship between physical fitness/activity and executive functions in typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Development Coordination Disorder , Attention Hyperactive Disorder.

Full description

Nowadays children are getting more inactive and participate less in sports or daily physical activity. Previous studies have shown that a good physical fitness is associated with improved cognitive functions. While being physical active, physiological changes take places in the brain. Brain-derived neurotropic factor is one of the neurotropins that plays a crucial role in this process. Executive functions are cognitive processes that are responsible for organizing and controlling goal-directed actions. These functions are developing during childhood and play an important role in daily- and school functioning.

This doctoral thesis has the aim to identify the role of Brain-derived neurotropic factor in the relationship between physical fitness/activity and executive functions in children.

In a first trail the effect of physical fitness and physical training on executive functioning and levels of Brain-derived neurotropic factor will be studied.

In a second trail the research question is expanded by investigating the same relations in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Development Coordination Disorder , Attention Hyperactive Disorder.

Protocol trail 1: The included (typically developing) children will be randomized and stratified for level of physical fitness into 2 groups: the intervention group and the control group. The intervention group will receive physical activity training 2 times a week during 8 weeks. The control group will receive no additional training. At the beginning and the end of the training period both the intervention and control group will be tested for physical fitness and level of executive functioning.

Protocol trail 2: Identical protocol to trail 1 except the participants will be children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Development Coordination Disorder , Attention Hyperactive Disorder in stead of typically developing children.

Enrollment: 52 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 10 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Trail 1

Inclusion Criteria:

• typically developing children

Exclusion Criteria:

• children with: executive function-, neurological- or cognitive disorders

Trail 2

Inclusion criteria:

• typically developing children (control)
• children with Developmental Coordination disorder, Attention deficit disorder or Autism Spectrum disorder

Exclusion criteria:

• Children with neurological- or cognitive disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

physical training

Experimental group

Description:

Participant receive a submaximal (60% -75% maximal oxygen uptake) physical activity training of 30 minutes during 8 weeks, 2 times a week. Individual heart rates will be monitored during the training.

Treatment:

Behavioral: physical training

control

No Intervention group

Description:

1 training at the beginning of the study 1 training at the end of the study