NEXOS - Neurophysiological effects of acute and chronic exercise with and without cooperative activities on social-cognitive abilities in preadolescent school children.

This project investigates whether physical exercise can enhance social-cognitive abilities in preadolescents within school settings. Two randomized controlled trials compare standard exercise, cooperative exercise, and a control group to examine acute and long-term effects on emotion recognition, regulation, and Theory of Mind. Using behavioral tasks, physiological measures, and neurophysiological recordings, the study explores underlying mechanisms and transfer effects to classroom and prosocial behavior. By integrating accessible, low-cost interventions into schools, the project aims to address gaps in non-clinical social-cognitive training and provide scalable strategies to support children’s social development, mental health, and academic success.