Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and executive function (EF) among adolescents in China.MethodsUsing a stratified cluster random sampling, we recruited 4,991 adolescents from 11 Chinese cities, including Urumqi, Lhasa, and Naqu etc. Participant...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1576546/full |
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| author | Yuan Liu Xiaojian Yin Yi Sun Feng Zhang Feng Zhang Cunjian Bi Yaru Guo Yaru Guo Pengwei Sun Pengwei Sun Hong Jun Hong Jun Yanyan Hu Yanyan Hu He Liu He Liu |
| author_facet | Yuan Liu Xiaojian Yin Yi Sun Feng Zhang Feng Zhang Cunjian Bi Yaru Guo Yaru Guo Pengwei Sun Pengwei Sun Hong Jun Hong Jun Yanyan Hu Yanyan Hu He Liu He Liu |
| author_sort | Yuan Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and executive function (EF) among adolescents in China.MethodsUsing a stratified cluster random sampling, we recruited 4,991 adolescents from 11 Chinese cities, including Urumqi, Lhasa, and Naqu etc. Participants completed execution function test and PA questionnaire survey. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and 30-minute isotemporal substitution models (ISM) to assess the association between PA and EF.ResultsDaily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time in both boys and girls was negatively correlated with inhibitory control RTs (r = −0.279, −0.173, P < 0.01), 2back-RTs (r = −0.367, −0.268, P < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility RTs (r = −0.283, −0.305, P < 0.01). Replacing 30 min of sedentary behaviour (SB) with MVPA was significantly shorter RTs in inhibitory control (P < 0.05), 2back tasks (P < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility (P < 0.01). Similarly, substituting 30-min of light physical activity (LPA) with MVPA led to reduced RTs in all three EF domains (P < 0.05 for inhibitory control; P < 0.01 for others). After adjusting for covariates, a U-shaped dose-response relationship emerged between MVPA duration and EF performance. Adolescents with 59.02–60.88 min/day of MVPA (the relatively high-level group) demonstrated the lowest RTs in inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility (P < 0.05).ConclusionsAfter controlling for confounders, MVPA exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship with inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Optimal EF improvement was observed at 59.02–60.88 min/day of MVPA, suggesting this range may be most beneficial for adolescents’ executive function. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-65b912dcb56c4e128eee4196b3d40aaa |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2360 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-65b912dcb56c4e128eee4196b3d40aaa2025-08-20T03:25:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-07-011310.3389/fped.2025.15765461576546Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18Yuan Liu0Xiaojian Yin1Yi Sun2Feng Zhang3Feng Zhang4Cunjian Bi5Yaru Guo6Yaru Guo7Pengwei Sun8Pengwei Sun9Hong Jun10Hong Jun11Yanyan Hu12Yanyan Hu13He Liu14He Liu15Physical Education College of Shanghai University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong, ChinaKey Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaSports Health Promotion Center, Chizhou University, Chizhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, ChinaObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and executive function (EF) among adolescents in China.MethodsUsing a stratified cluster random sampling, we recruited 4,991 adolescents from 11 Chinese cities, including Urumqi, Lhasa, and Naqu etc. Participants completed execution function test and PA questionnaire survey. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and 30-minute isotemporal substitution models (ISM) to assess the association between PA and EF.ResultsDaily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time in both boys and girls was negatively correlated with inhibitory control RTs (r = −0.279, −0.173, P < 0.01), 2back-RTs (r = −0.367, −0.268, P < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility RTs (r = −0.283, −0.305, P < 0.01). Replacing 30 min of sedentary behaviour (SB) with MVPA was significantly shorter RTs in inhibitory control (P < 0.05), 2back tasks (P < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility (P < 0.01). Similarly, substituting 30-min of light physical activity (LPA) with MVPA led to reduced RTs in all three EF domains (P < 0.05 for inhibitory control; P < 0.01 for others). After adjusting for covariates, a U-shaped dose-response relationship emerged between MVPA duration and EF performance. Adolescents with 59.02–60.88 min/day of MVPA (the relatively high-level group) demonstrated the lowest RTs in inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility (P < 0.05).ConclusionsAfter controlling for confounders, MVPA exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship with inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Optimal EF improvement was observed at 59.02–60.88 min/day of MVPA, suggesting this range may be most beneficial for adolescents’ executive function.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1576546/fullinhibitory controlworking memorycognitive flexibilityphysical activityexecutive functionadolescents |
| spellingShingle | Yuan Liu Xiaojian Yin Yi Sun Feng Zhang Feng Zhang Cunjian Bi Yaru Guo Yaru Guo Pengwei Sun Pengwei Sun Hong Jun Hong Jun Yanyan Hu Yanyan Hu He Liu He Liu Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18 Frontiers in Pediatrics inhibitory control working memory cognitive flexibility physical activity executive function adolescents |
| title | Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18 |
| title_full | Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18 |
| title_fullStr | Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18 |
| title_short | Association between physical activity and executive function of Chinese adolescents aged 13–18 |
| title_sort | association between physical activity and executive function of chinese adolescents aged 13 18 |
| topic | inhibitory control working memory cognitive flexibility physical activity executive function adolescents |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1576546/full |
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