045); ie, the post-intervention group scores for these outcomes increased with the intensity of exercise. Compared to the control group, exposure to either exercise program resulted in higher executive function scores (mean difference = –2.8, 95% CI –5.3 to –0.2 points) but not in higher mathematics achievement scores. The groups did not differ significantly on any of the other outcomes. There were no differences between

the two exercise groups. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise enhances executive function in overweight children. Executive function develops in childhood and is important for adaptive behaviour and cognitive development. As the global prevalence of paediatric obesity rises, participation in health-enhancing physical activity is of vital importance for the prevention of chronic diseases such as Type learn more 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart

disease, and some cancers (Penedo and Dahn 2005). The reported global prevalence of ‘some but insufficient physical activity’ is estimated to be associated with 1.9 million deaths, 19 million Daily Adjusted Life Years, and approximately 22% of coronary heart disease prevalence globally (WHO 2002). The study by Davis et al highlights the benefit of increasing physical activity in childhood for parameters of health other than weight management alone and provides evidence for the positive effect of increasing physical activity on mental Epigenetics inhibitor functioning. This over well-designed study uses robust techniques to explore the dose-response relationship between activity levels and executive function and expands the evidence

for the importance of human movement in overall physical and cognitive health in childhood which, at times, can be lacking (Biddle et al 2011). The authors did not collect data relating to the cost associated with achieving such benefit, however, and this information would be very useful for policy makers. Overall the study assists policy makers and clinicians in weighing up the benefit of implementing physical activity interventions. Given the positive effect, the results may support stakeholders’ efforts to increase exercise time during the school day where curriculum demands can sometimes act as a barrier to such initiatives. Similarly, such school or community interventions should be appropriately designed to maximise the associated benefits (Baker et al 2011). “
“Summary of: Reeve JC et al (2010) Does physiotherapy reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications following pulmonary resection via open thoracotomy? A preliminary randomised single-blind clinical trial. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 37: 1158–1166. [Prepared by Kylie Hill, CAP Editor.