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DOES EXERCISE MAKE KIDS SMARTER?

COMMON SUBLUXATION PATTERN IDENTIFIED IN 96% OF CHILDREN

In the midst of reports of schools cutting recess and physical education in order to provide additional time for standardized test preparation, new research reveals that limiting physical activity may reduce cognitive function in youngsters.

The research team from the University of Illinois presented their findings this week at the annual meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"We have found a strong relationship between academic achievement and fitness scores," elucidates study co-author Darla Castelli. "Those who scored well in academics also did well in physical fitness. We're not suggesting that if we run more laps it will make us smarter, but there does appear to be a correlation."

Along with researchers Charles Hillman and SarahBuck, Castelli analyzed about 500 third-, fourth-and fifth-graders. They compared the subjects' aerobic capacity, flexibility, muscle fitness and cognitive function (as determined by standard achievement tests and neuroelectric and behavioral responses to stimulus discrimination tasks).

"We found that fit children allocated more resources towards identifying stimuli, and also processed stimuli faster," Hillman pronounced. "Behaviorally, these effects showed up in that these fit children made fewer errors than sedentary ones."

"Despite increased incidence of childhood obesity and type II diabetes mellitus, physical education time is being reduced to address academic issues related to federal 'No Child Left Behind' legislation," adds Castelli. "If evidence existed that physical education contributed to intellectual development,it may gain credibility and instructional time."

Source: Society for Psychophysiological Research - October 20, 2004.
http://sprweb.org/
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A new study examines a subluxation pattern common in children called the Pelvic Distortion Subluxation Complex (PDSC). The study's researchers believe
that PDSC "is responsible, partially or fully, for a number of adaptive neurological patterns and kinesiopathological reflexes that can propagate a myriad of conditions."

To test their hypothesis, 6 chiropractors with pediatric certification from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association examined 327 boys and 323 girls.

The study's authors explain that "the preponderance of PDSC is to present with a left pelvic fixation and a corresponding right hypermobility. We have found that 96% of all children seem to possess, and be subjected to the effects of the Pelvic Distortion Subluxation Complex. The PDSC was a common denominator in complaints plaguing our sample of children. These are summarized into a percentage of the total sample and the most common complaints of children in our study are mainly of a somatic nature with some visceral and immune components."

"Our study revealed a pattern of pelvic dysfunction correlated with numerous somatic, visceral and immune complaints. These dysfunction's should be discovered as early as possible in a child's development to effect a correction and the relationship between these dysfunction's and ill health should be further studied."

Source: JVSR - October 18, 2004.
http://www.jvsr.com
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Investigators in Australia are concerned over the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications in children.

In-depth interviews with 40 parents of children under 5 years of age showed that "there were 3 striking and readily apparent themes in the use of
OTC medications among children. One was the administration of OTC medications as a form of 'social medication,' to give parents control over
children's behavior that they perceived as fractious and irritating. A related theme was the use of OTC medications to reduce the inconvenience to the parents of having a sick child, again giving parents greater control and better time-management abilities. Finally, acetaminophen was considered by many parents to have almost miraculous properties in calming, sedating and lifting the mood of children."

"The use of OTC medications for the treatment of minor ailments among children is widespread, despite the lack of evidence of efficacy of the most commonly used medications and the potential for toxicity," conclude the scientists. "With the increasing propensity to look to medication as a means of supporting changing lifestyles, there is an urgent need to review the prevalence and effects of social medication."

Source: Pediatrics - September 2004;114:e378-83.
http://www.pediatrics.org/

"The person who takes medicine must recover twice,
once from the disease and once from the medicine."
William Osler, M.D.
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