WWC review of this study

Effects of the FITKids randomized controlled trial on executive control and brain function.

Hillman, C. H., Pontifex, M. B., Castelli, D. M., Khan, N. A., Raine, L. B., Scudder, M. R., Drollette, E. S., Moore, R. D., Wu, C-T, & Kamijo, K. (2014). Pediatrics, 134(4), 1062–1071.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    221
     Students
    , grades
    2-4

Reviewed: August 2015

At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Emotional/internal behavior outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Flanker task: Response accuracy

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

N/A

N/A

Yes

 
 
16

Switch task, response accuracy for heterogeneous trials

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

N/A

N/A

Yes

 
 
16

Switch task, response accuracy for homogeneous trials

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

N/A

N/A

Yes

-2
 
 

Flanker task: Response time (ms)

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

503.30

492.50

Yes

-5
 
 

Switch task, response time for homogeneous trials (ms)

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

779.40

759.50

Yes

-5
 
 

Switch task, response time for heterogeneous trials (ms)

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

1497.10

1435.10

Yes

-11
 
 
Physical well-being outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Aerobic fitness (V02peak, mL/kg/min)

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

41.20

39.90

Yes

 
 
8

Body mass index (BMI)

Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids (FITKids) vs. None

2009-2013

Full sample;
221 students

19.10

19.80

Yes

 
 
6


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Female: 46%
    Male: 54%

  • Urban
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    Illinois
  • Race
    Asian
    13%
    Black
    24%
    Other or unknown
    13%
    White
    50%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    7%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    93%
 

Your export should download shortly as a zip archive.

This download will include data files for study and findings review data and a data dictionary.

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