Anthropometric Parameters, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Executive Functions among Primary School Children.
Falonn Contreras-OsorioIris Paola Guzmán-GuzmánEnrique Cerda-VegaLuis Javier Chirosa-RiosRodrigo Ramírez-CampilloChristian Campos-JaraPublished in: International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
Physical activity during childhood and adolescence favors brain development and cognitive functioning, particularly the executive functions. This study aimed to assess potential associations between anthropometric parameters, physical activity, physical fitness, and executive functions among elementary school children returning to school after the COVID-19 lockdown in Chile. School-age male and female participants ( n = 90; age, 10-12 years) participated in the study. To determine the association between variables, a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Higher fat-related anthropometric indexes were associated with lower working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, and attention (r = -0.55 to -0.22; p = 0.031 to <0.001). In contrast, higher physical activity levels, better sprint performance, higher lower-body muscular power, and greater upper-body muscular strength were associated with better working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, planning, and/or attention (r = 0.19 to -0.54; p = 0.04 to <0.001). Current results consistently suggest the need for adequate levels of physical activity, physical fitness, and anthropometric parameters among the school-age population to promote healthy and adequate executive functions.
Keyphrases
- working memory
- physical activity
- transcranial direct current stimulation
- body composition
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- body mass index
- coronavirus disease
- resistance training
- sleep quality
- magnetic resonance
- adipose tissue
- multiple sclerosis
- young adults
- risk assessment
- white matter
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- blood brain barrier