Liu Yuan, Yin Xiaojian, Sun Yi, Zhang Feng, Bi Cunjian, Guo Yaru, Sun Pengwei, Jun Hong, Hu Yanyan, Liu He
Physical Education College of Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China.
Front Pediatr. 2025 Jul 15;13:1576546. doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1576546. eCollection 2025.
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and executive function (EF) among adolescents in China.
Using 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, correlation analysis, and 30-minute isotemporal substitution models (ISM) to assess the association between PA and EF.
Daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time in both boys and girls was negatively correlated with inhibitory control RTs ( = -0.279, -0.173, < 0.01), 2back-RTs ( = -0.367, -0.268, < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility RTs ( = -0.283, -0.305, < 0.01). Replacing 30 min of sedentary behaviour (SB) with MVPA was significantly shorter RTs in inhibitory control ( < 0.05), 2back tasks ( < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility ( < 0.01). Similarly, substituting 30-min of light physical activity (LPA) with MVPA led to reduced RTs in all three EF domains ( < 0.05 for inhibitory control; < 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 ( < 0.05).
After 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.
本研究旨在探讨中国青少年身体活动（PA）与执行功能（EF）之间的关系。
采用分层整群随机抽样方法，我们从中国11个城市招募了4991名青少年，包括乌鲁木齐、拉萨和那曲等。参与者完成了执行功能测试和PA问卷调查。使用单因素方差分析、相关分析和30分钟等时替代模型（ISM）分析数据，以评估PA与EF之间的关联。
男孩和女孩的每日中等至剧烈身体活动（MVPA）时间与抑制控制反应时间（r = -0.279，-0.173，P < 0.01）、2-back反应时间（r = -0.367，-0.268，P < 0.01）和认知灵活性反应时间（r = -0.283，-0.305，P < 0.01）均呈负相关。用MVPA替代30分钟久坐行为（SB）后，抑制控制（P < 0.05）、2-back任务（P < 0.01）和认知灵活性（P < 0.01）的反应时间显著缩短。同样，用MVPA替代30分钟轻度身体活动（LPA）导致所有三个EF领域的反应时间减少（抑制控制P < 0.05；其他P < 0.01）。调整协变量后，MVPA持续时间与EF表现之间呈现出U型剂量反应关系。MVPA为59.02 - 60.88分钟/天的青少年（相对高水平组）在抑制控制、工作记忆和认知灵活性方面的反应时间最短（P < 0.05）。
在控制混杂因素后，MVPA与抑制控制、工作记忆和认知灵活性呈倒U型关系。MVPA为59.02 - 60.88分钟/天时观察到最佳的EF改善，表明该范围可能对青少年的执行功能最有益。
