Abstract
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.
Highlights
Physical activity during childhood and adolescence favors brain development and cognitive functioning [1–4], the executive functions [5–8]
Based on the background provided by previous research and given the scarcity of studies describing the relationship between anthropometric parameters, physical activity, physical fitness status, and executive functions among primary school children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose of this study was to analyze the possible associations between physical activity, physical fitness, anthropometric parameters, and executive functions among primary school children when they return to the classroom in person after >18 months of social isolation and the implementation of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile
This study examined the possible associations between anthropometric parameters, physical activity and fitness, and executive functions among primary school children at the time of their return to school in person after the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile were lifted
Summary
Physical activity during childhood and adolescence favors brain development and cognitive functioning [1–4], the executive functions [5–8]. Moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity is positively related to working memory [9,10], reaction time [11], executive attention [12], cognitive flexibility, [13] and planning [14]. Better physical fitness in the school-age population is associated with better planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition [6,15–17]. Healthier body mass and body mass index are associated with improved general cognitive performance and executive functions in the school-age population [18,19]. Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) triggered the implementation of confinement measures, terminated in-person activities in schools, and gradually restricted free movement to reduce the spread of the virus. There is a large body of information, still under development, describing the consequences of these strategies on children’s lifestyles as well as their mental and physical health [20–24].
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