Associations of executive functions with physical activity and sedentary time in children aged 5-7 years: a multi-methodological pilot study
Byman, Anni; Stalchenko, Natalia; Vanhala, Anssi; Tähti, Pinja; Makkonen, Tommi; Tervaniemi, Mari; Aunio, Pirjo (2025-05-27)
Taylor & Francis
27.05.2025
Byman, A., Stalchenko, N., Vanhala, A., Tähti, P., Makkonen, T., Tervaniemi, M., & Aunio, P. (2025). Associations of executive functions with physical activity and sedentary time in children aged 5–7 years: a multi-methodological pilot study. Child Neuropsychology, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2025.2509911
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-202505284005
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-202505284005
Tiivistelmä
Abstract
Executive functions are critical for early childhood development. High levels of physical activity and reduced sedentary time may benefit execution function development, although prior research has yielded mixed findings. Studying executive functions through both neurophysiological and behavioral measures provides a more comprehensive view of their relationship with physical activity and sedentary time, yet this approach remains underexplored in young children. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to explore these associations using a multi-methodological approach. Eighteen children (Mage = 6.75, SD = 0.60, 50% girls) participated. Executive functions were assessed behaviorally (inhibition+switching and working memory with computerized tests) and neuroelectrically (event-related potential EEG paradigm) in early childhood education settings. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured using hip-worn accelerometers. Associations were examined using linear regression. The results showed that faster response times in inhibition+switching task were associated with larger novelty P3 amplitudes (β = −.54, p < .05). Moderate and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with increased novelty P3 amplitude (β = .72, p < .01; β = .56, p < .05) and longer peak latency (β = .59, p < .05; β = .53, p < .05), while light physical activity was associated with smaller amplitude (β = -.64, p < .05). Sedentary time was associated with shorter latency (β = −.57, p < .05). No associations between physical activity or sedentary time and behavioral measures of executive functions were found. The findings of this pilot study suggest that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may support neurocognitive processes in early childhood.
Executive functions are critical for early childhood development. High levels of physical activity and reduced sedentary time may benefit execution function development, although prior research has yielded mixed findings. Studying executive functions through both neurophysiological and behavioral measures provides a more comprehensive view of their relationship with physical activity and sedentary time, yet this approach remains underexplored in young children. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to explore these associations using a multi-methodological approach. Eighteen children (Mage = 6.75, SD = 0.60, 50% girls) participated. Executive functions were assessed behaviorally (inhibition+switching and working memory with computerized tests) and neuroelectrically (event-related potential EEG paradigm) in early childhood education settings. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured using hip-worn accelerometers. Associations were examined using linear regression. The results showed that faster response times in inhibition+switching task were associated with larger novelty P3 amplitudes (β = −.54, p < .05). Moderate and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with increased novelty P3 amplitude (β = .72, p < .01; β = .56, p < .05) and longer peak latency (β = .59, p < .05; β = .53, p < .05), while light physical activity was associated with smaller amplitude (β = -.64, p < .05). Sedentary time was associated with shorter latency (β = −.57, p < .05). No associations between physical activity or sedentary time and behavioral measures of executive functions were found. The findings of this pilot study suggest that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may support neurocognitive processes in early childhood.
Kokoelmat
- Avoin saatavuus [38539]
Ellei muuten mainita, aineiston lisenssi on https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/