Anthropometric Parameters, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Executive Functions among Primary School Children

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

Efecto de la práctica de balonmano y atletismo sobre las funciones ejecutivas de niños chilenos en edad escolar

Al finalizar esta tesis doctoral se puede concluir que, tras una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis, el deporte ha demostrado tener un efecto positivo en la función ejecutiva de niños y adolescentes. Además, sugiere que el deporte organizado puede ser una mejor opción para el desarrollo de la función ejecutiva que el simple aumento de la actividad física. Los escolares que practican deporte de forma sostenida durante 12 semanas presentan mejoras en el rendimiento de sus funciones ejecutivas en flexibilidad cognitiva, memoria de trabajo y control inhibitorio, mientras que el aumento de la actividad física en estos grupos se asocia también con mejoras en atención y planificación, principalmente en el grupo que practica un deporte de equipo. Por otra parte, los parámetros antropométricos, la actividad física y la condición física están relacionadas con las funciones ejecutivas y la atención en escolares. Los presentes hallazgos sugieren la necesidad de implementar intervenciones deportivas que favorezcan el aumento de la actividad física, la condición física y parámetros antropométricos saludables en escolares para mejorar su desarrollo cognitivo.At the end of this doctoral thesis it can be concluded that, after a systematic review and meta-analysis, sport can have a positive effect on executive function in children and adolescents. Furthermore, it suggests that organized sport may be a better option for the development of executive function than simply increasing physical activity. Schoolchildren who practice sport on a sustained basis for 12 weeks show improvements in their executive function performance in cognitive flexibility, working memory and inhibitory control, while increased physical activity in these groups is also associated with improvements in attention and planning, mainly in the group practicing a team sport. On the other hand, anthropometry, physical activity and physical fitness are related to executive functions and attention in schoolchildren. The present findings suggest the need to implement sports interventions that favor the increase of physical activity, physical fitness and healthy anthropometric parameters in schoolchildren to improve their cognitive development.Tesis Univ. Granada