A recent study from Shandong Sport University in China reveals that specific exercise programs can significantly enhance brain functions responsible for impulse control and focus in college students struggling with internet addiction.
The research involved 120 undergraduates with varying levels of internet dependency. Over an eight-week period, participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: footbike training, basketball, swimming, or no exercise (control). Each exercise group participated in supervised sessions lasting 45 minutes, twice per week.
The study measured participants’ inhibitory control, a cognitive function critical for resisting distractions and stopping impulsive actions, using standardized cognitive tests. Brain activity was monitored through functional near-infrared spectroscopy to observe key areas involved in decision-making and self-regulation, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontopolar cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex.
Results showed that footbike training led to the greatest improvements in both response inhibition (stopping impulsive actions) and interference inhibition (ignoring distractions). Basketball training showed significant benefits in interference inhibition and activated brain areas tied to strategic decision-making, while swimming improved response inhibition but had less impact on resisting distractions. The study suggests that targeted physical activity, particularly exercises requiring dynamic balance and coordination, may help strengthen brain functions essential for managing screen time and maintaining focus.
These findings highlight the potential of specific exercise programs to support mental focus and digital discipline by engaging the brain’s inhibitory control networks. For IT professionals and students facing increasing digital demands, incorporating structured physical activity that challenges coordination and balance could offer a practical strategy to improve attention and reduce impulsivity.
As workplaces and educational institutions seek ways to address digital distractions, this research points to exercise as a valuable, science-backed tool for cognitive enhancement.
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