Effect of Backward Walking on Long-term Memory in Elementary School Children

• Main Authors: Wen-du Tsai, 蔡文都
• Other Authors: Li-yu Liu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/53559012695594919557

碩士 === 國立臺南大學 === 體育學系碩士班 === 100 === Purpose: Aerobics is helpful for learning, and backward walking is even more effective in enhancing aerobic metabolism reaction than normal forward walking. This study aims to investigate the effect of backward walking for 20 minutes every time, 3 times a week for a period of 8 weeks on long-term memory in elementary school pupils. Methods: 60 sixth graders, aged 11.58±0.28, 148.81±7.16cm in height, 39.59±9.34kg in weight, of an elementary school were enrolled as subjects, who were randomly assigned to experiment group and control group evenly. Before training of backward walking, both groups were pretested with Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Subsequently the experiment group did backward exercise in intensity of 55-70% HR max for 20 minutes during morning time (7:50 to 8:40), 3 times a week, while the control group did not do backward walking and just conducted static activity in the classroom according to daily schedule. Eight weeks later, both groups were post-tested. The data generated was examined with independent sample ANCOVA go figure out whether long-term memory between both groups was different significantly. Result: Subsequent to statistical analysis, after 8 weeks’ backward exercise in intensity of 55-70%HRmax for 20 minutes daily and 3 times weekly, the score of Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) of the experiment group was 31.56±0.70 which was significantly higher than 26.88 ±0.70 of the control group without accepting training of backward walking (p < .05). Conclusion: Backward walking in intensity of 55-70%HRmax for 20 minutes daily, 3 times weekly and for a period of 8 weeks, is beneficial in promoting performance of pupils’ long-term memory.