Chang Zhenya, Wang Ling, Zhu Aifeng
College of Preschool Education, Changsha Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
College of Sports Science, Changsha Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
Acta Psychol (Amst). 2025 Sep;259:105394. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105394. Epub 2025 Aug 14.
To examine the correlation between 24-hour movement behaviors (24 h-MBs) and executive function (EF) in preschool children.
Preschool children (n = 366, 187 boys; M_age = 4.18 ± 0.87) were recruited from kindergartens in Changsha City, China, in 2024. Physical activity and sedentary behavior (SB) time were collected using an accelerometer, while sleep duration was recorded using a sleep diary. EF was measured by a questionnaire (BRIEF-P), and compositional data analysis was employed.
(1) The relative time distribution among 24 h-MBs showed statistically significant associations with both EF and specific subdomains in preschool children (p < 0.05). (2) Moderate-to-Vigorous-intensity Physical Activity (MVPA) was significantly associated with inhibitory control (γ = -2.36, p = 0.002), working memory (γ = -2.78, p = 0.003), emotional control (γ1 = -1.30, p = 0.024), planning (γ = -1.83, p = 0.003), and EF (γ = -9.35, p = 0.003). (3) SB was significantly associated with working memory (γ = 3.99, p = 0.027) and EF (γ = 11.95, p = 0.047). (4) When MVPA was substituted for sleep, SB, and Light-intensity Physical Activity (LPA) for 15 min per day, there was a significant decrease in preschoolers' EF and many of its dimensions. Similarly, when sleep was substituted for SB for 15 min per day, there was a significant decrease in working memory (b = -0.12, p < 0.05), and vice versa, both increased significantly.
Promoting moderate transitions from sleep, SB, and LPA to MVPA, as well as from SB to sleep, shows varying relationships with EF development among preschool children. Future research could further explore the long-term impact of 24 h-MBs on preschool children's EF, particularly the interactions between physical activity, SB, and sleep, and investigate more precise intervention strategies to promote the development of children's EF.
探讨学龄前儿童24小时运动行为（24 h-MBs）与执行功能（EF）之间的相关性。
2024年从中国长沙市的幼儿园招募学龄前儿童（n = 366，187名男孩；平均年龄 = 4.18 ± 0.87）。使用加速度计收集身体活动和久坐行为（SB）时间，同时使用睡眠日记记录睡眠时间。通过问卷（BRIEF-P）测量EF，并采用成分数据分析。
（1）学龄前儿童24 h-MBs之间的相对时间分布与EF及其特定子领域均存在统计学显著关联（p < 0.05）。（2）中等到剧烈强度的身体活动（MVPA）与抑制控制（γ = -2.36，p = 0.002）、工作记忆（γ = -2.78，p = 0.003）、情绪控制（γ1 = -1.30，p = 0.024）、计划（γ = -1.83，p = 0.003）和EF（γ = -9.35，p = 0.003）显著相关。（3）SB与工作记忆（γ = 3.99，p = 0.027）和EF（γ = 11.95，p = 0.047）显著相关。（4）当每天用MVPA替代睡眠、SB和轻度身体活动（LPA）15分钟时，学龄前儿童的EF及其许多维度显著下降。同样，当每天用睡眠替代SB 15分钟时，工作记忆显著下降（b = -0.12，p < 0.05），反之亦然，两者均显著增加。
促进从睡眠、SB和LPA到MVPA的适度转变，以及从SB到睡眠的转变，在学龄前儿童中与EF发展呈现出不同的关系。未来的研究可以进一步探讨24 h-MBs对学龄前儿童EF的长期影响，特别是身体活动、SB和睡眠之间的相互作用，并研究更精确的干预策略以促进儿童EF的发展。
