ASU Research E-Magazine: Movement for the Mind

Exercise is just as much for minds as it is for bodies. Debbie Crews specializes in exercising young minds. She studies the impact of exercise on autistic, emotionally disturbed, attention deficit disorder, mainstream, and at-risk children.

“People who exercise for at least 20 minutes per day have better self esteem. They are less anxious and less depressed than those who do not exercise,” explains Crews, an assistant research professor of exercise science at Arizona State University.

Scientists have learned that exercise triggers the release of specific chemicals within the brain. Those chemicals make it easier for a person to focus on the task at hand. Results of other studies indicate that exercise increases the flow of oxygen to the human brain. It also tends to promote a “can do” attitude among participants.

“We recently conducted a study with low income children here in Phoenix,” Crews says. “We achieved a full category drop in depression levels and grade improvements that approached significance.”

The study involved 66 fourth graders. Conducted during their regular physical education classes, the intent was to raise activity levels and individual student heart rates to 170 beats per minute for 20 minutes three times per week. Study activities included bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing basketball, and riding stationary exercise bikes.

Crews often works with children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD). She uses both golf and horseback riding programs to achieve positive results.

“Kids with ADD are actually under-aroused. That’s why doctors give them stimulants to help keep them focused and awake,” Crews says. “Playing golf can teach them to hyperfocus on specific activities.”

In the laboratory, the ASU scientist makes brain maps of young study participants as they perform various golfing strokes, such as putting. Crews uses sophisticated instruments to record brain activity, heart rate, and other factors during that last second just prior to the putt.

“It’s a type of biofeedback,” she explains. “The technique is quite effective in that results are both visible and immediate.”

Golfers soon learn that if they take the time to calm down, focus, and set up their putt correctly, the ball goes farther and more accurately. Crews says that once they understand that correlation, kids with ADD begin to see the relationship between focus and end result in other areas of life.

Her horseback riding programs focus on other goals.

“We target behaviors with the riding programs. We find that our horses do most of the teaching,” Crews says. “Horses read human emotions so well that the kids must learn to trust, be patient, and be positive, or the horse simply won’t respond.”

Learning to focus on others, rather than self, is an important starting point for any child. In Crews’ program, participants begin by learning to walk, groom, and care for their mounts.

“We had one horse that stood in a corner with its little boy rider for eight full weeks; it never moved,” Crews says.

Crews had used the horse before. She felt comfortable that the horse was doing things right. The ASU researcher focused on trust building with the little boy.

“Once the boy could learn to trust, the horse moved and responded to his commands. That little boy even went on to mentor other kids,” she says.

“Horses know that when the saddle and bridle go on, it’s time to work. When the saddle and bridle come off, it’s time to play,” Crews explains. “Our students see that too, and eventually start making similar associations. For example, when you go inside a classroom and sit down, it’s time to focus and be quiet. Going outside means it’s time to run and play.”

Crews admits that drugs are needed to help control some disorders. But she and her constituents have found that physical activity can often be used as a treatment alternative.

She recommends 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous activity at least five days per week for every child. She recommends structured, activity-based programs for those with special needs. Vigorous movement, she assures, can both cure—and prevent—a wide variety of ailments.—Lindsey Michaels