Neuromotricity on executive functions and emotional regulation. A longitudinal quantitative analysis in Costa Rican Primary Education
Francisco Javier Romero Naranjo – University of Alicante - ORCID: 0000-0002-3412-5560
Viviana Raquel Navarro Camacho – University of Alicante - ORCID: 0009-0007-3383-4000
Abstract
This longitudinal research evaluates the efficacy of the rhythmic-motor-cognitive paradigm in modulating executive function architecture and emotional regulation among Costa Rican adolescents (N = 412, ages 11–12). The main objective was to determine whether BAPNE Neuromotricity produces significantly greater improvements in inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and anxiety reduction compared to standard physical education, repetitive choreography, and a passive control. Over an 8.5-month intervention, a quasi-experimental multigroup pretest-posttest design was implemented. Neuropsychological metrics included the BRIEF-2, Stroop Color-Word, d2 Test of Attention, Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency Test, and CMAS-R-2. It was hypothesized that BAPNE would yield superior cognitive outcomes due to its non-automated, high-cognitive-load motor tasks. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) demonstrated that the BAPNE cohort achieved transformative improvements in inhibitory control (Cohen’s d = 2.85) and concentration performance, while significantly reducing manifest anxiety. Conversely, the choreography group exhibited cognitive stagnation and increased anxiety. These findings support the hypothesis that cognitive load and non-automated motor complexity are the primary drivers of prefrontal neuroplasticity.
Keyword: Neuromotricity
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