Relaxation in Children: Effects of Extended and Intensified Training

Parent-Child Mindfulness-Based Training: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Stress in young children can interfere with academic achievement. To help address stress and aid in developing beneficial lifelong coping skills, educational systems are more widely incorporating programs that teach social and emotional regulation, such as mindfulness-based programs. The effects of these programs may be strengthened through parental support in the home environment. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a new Parent-Child Mindfulness-Based Training (PC-MBT) program, which delivered mindfulness-based training to parents and children simultaneously in the home environment. This study also implemented a working memory training after PC-MBT to assess the feasibility of completing two trainings sequentially. Healthy children, ages 8-10 (n = 14), and their parents participated in the PC-MBT program. They met with an instructor at home and online each week for 6 weeks and were provided resources including books, worksheets, audio recordings, and daily practices to reinforce mindfulness skills. A control group (n = 8) participated in the working memory training only. All PC-MBT and control children, except one, participated in the working memory training. All PC-MBT assigned families completed the PC-MBT program, and a majority utilized all types of the mindfulness training materials. A majority of participants also reported high levels of enjoyment and understanding of the PC-MBT program. This study establishes the feasibility and acceptability of the PC-MBT program and lays the foundation for future studies to assess program efficacy in healthy and clinical populations as well as the utility of PC-MBT to improve engagement and outcomes of other cognitive training programs.

Differential Effects of 7 and 16 Groups of Muscle Relaxation Training Following Repeated Submaximal Intensity Exercise in Young Football Players

This study compares two versions of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training (7 and 16 muscle groups) on oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rates, rating of perceived exertion and choice reaction time. Football (soccer) players (N = 26; M age = 13.4 yr., SD = 0.5) were randomly assigned to either 7 muscle groups PMR, 16 muscle groups PMR, or a control group. PMR training requires the participants to tense a muscle, hold the muscle contraction, and then relax it. Measurement was conducted prior to and after the completion of 12 sessions of PMR. The dependent variables were measured following four bouts of intermittent exercise consisting of 12 min. of running at 60% VO2max for 10 min. followed by running at 90% VO2max for 2 min. with a 3-min. rest for each bout. Lower VO2, heart rate, perceived exertion, and quicker reaction time were expected in both relaxation groups compared to the control group. The results revealed a significant reduction in heart rates and choice reaction time for both relaxation groups, but the longer version produced significantly quicker choice reaction time.

A chinese mind-body exercise improves self-control of children with autism: a randomized controlled trial

Self-control problems commonly manifest as temper outbursts and repetitive/rigid/impulsive behaviors, in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which often contributes to learning difficulties and caregiver burden. The present study aims to compare the effect of a traditional Chinese Chan-based mind-body exercise, Nei Yang Gong, with that of the conventional Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) technique in enhancing the self-control of children with ASD. Forty-six age- and IQ-matched ASD children were randomly assigned to receive group training in Nei Yang Gong (experimental group) or PMR (control group) twice per week for four weeks. The participants' self-control was measured by three neuropsychological tests and parental rating on standardized questionnaires, and the underlying neural mechanism was assessed by the participants' brain EEG activity during an inhibitory-control task before and after intervention. The results show that the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in self-control than the control group, which concurs with the parental reports of reduced autistic symptoms and increased control of temper and behaviors. In addition, the experimental group showed enhanced EEG activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, a region that mediates self-control, whereas the PMR group did not. The present findings support the potential application of Chinese Chan-based mind-body exercises as a form of neuropsychological rehabilitation for patients with self-control problems. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; Registration No.: ChiCTR-TRC-12002561; URL: www.chictr.org.

The effects of progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic relaxation on young soccer players' mood states

Purpose

This study was designed to compare the effects of two different relaxation techniques, namely progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and autogenic relaxation (AGR) on moods of young soccer players.

Methods

Sixteen adolescent athletes (mean age: 14.1 ± 1.3) received either PMR or AGR training. Using Profile of Mood States- Adolescents, their mood states were measured one week before relaxation training, before the first relaxation session, and after the twelfth relaxation session.

Results

Mixed ANOVA revealed no significant interaction effects and no significant main effects in any of the subscales. However, significant main effects for testing sessions were found for confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension subscales. Post hoc tests revealed post-intervention reductions in the confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension subscale scores.

Conclusion

These two relaxation techniques induce equivalent mood responses and may be used to regulate young soccer players’ mood states.

Wohlbefindensforschung im Kindes- und Jugendalter

Zusammenfassung. In diesem Beitrag werden einführend die Konstrukte subjektives Wohlbefinden und gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität näher beleuchtet. Des Weiteren wird ein Überblick über Korrelate des Wohlbefindens gegeben. Unter Berücksichtigung der Entwicklungsdynamik sowie von Alters- und Geschlechtsunterschieden wird die Bedeutung sozialer Beziehungen für Wohlbefinden bzw. Wohlbefindensbeeinträchtigungen aufgezeigt. Thematisiert werden zudem Zusammenhänge zwischen dem sich entwickelnden Körperkonzept und dem Wohlbefinden. Auffällig ist die gesteigerte Unzufriedenheit mit Gewicht und Figur, die sich bei weiblichen Heranwachsenden zeigt. Auch im Zusammenhang mit Risikoverhaltensweisen wie Alkohol- und Nikotinkonsum, die gehäuft im Jugendalter in Erscheinung treten, werden Konsequenzen für das Wohlbefinden aufgezeigt. Abschließend werden entwicklungsbezogene Prinzipien vorgestellt, welche bezüglich der Erarbeitung von Präventions- und Gesundheitsförderungsmaßnahmen in Kindheit und Jugend Berücksichtigung finden sollten.