Physical Activity Is Associated With Better Executive Function in University Students

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, the study of the benefits that physical exercise has on brain health has acquired special relevance. In order to implement exercise as an intervention to protect the brain, it is important to have a more clear idea of its effect in the young population. However, few studies have been carried out on these ages. Objective: The main objective of our study was to evaluate the association between physical activity (PA) with memory and executive function, in university students, analyzing the modulatory effect of sex. Methodology: We collected socio-demographic and life habit information, as well as data on the PA that was carried out during the previous week using the international PA questionnaire short version (IPAQ-SF) questionnaire in 206 university students (mean age 19.55 ± 2.39; 67.5% women). Memory and executive function were assessed using a comprehensive battery of validate cognitive tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to correlate PA with cognitive tests scores and to evaluate the potential synergistic role of sex. Results: The main finding was that the total amount of PA correlated positively with several tests that evaluated aspects of executive function, specifically Stroop Colors (Pearson's r = 0.17; p = 0.01) and the Stroop Test Color-Word (Pearson's r = 0.15. p = 0.03). These results were adjusted by a large number of possible confounders and modifying variables in a multivariate analysis, like age, sex, academic record, day of the week, and time at which the test was performed. Additionally, we found out that sex had a synergistic effect with PA on the executive test Trail making test-A (TMTA), and in women, this association was stronger than in men. The more PA women reported, the better they performed, that is to say that they took less time to finalize the TMT-A (interaction term between PA and sex: b = −0.0009; p = 0.014). Conclusion: Our study adds evidence of the benefit of PA in cognition in the young population, specifically in the executive inhibitory control, and more significantly in women.

Brain Structure, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Executive Control Changes after a 9-Week Exercise Intervention in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Thus, our finding complements the existing literature by showing that even in younger adult's exercise-induced changes in brain structure are an important mediator between physical fitness (e.g., CRF) and cognitive performance. Additionally, as the psychological trauma usually has negative impacts on the immunological phenotype of microglia of the frontal cortex [55], the unexpected decrease in grey matter volume in the control group may be induced by participants' stress reaction during the final examination [14,59,60].…”

“…Indeed, there is mounting evidence in the literature indicating that higher CRF levels and regular physical exercise are associated with better cognitive performance, especially in children and older adults [ 10 , 11 ]. For example, executive control, a cognitive domain associated with “top-down” regulation of goal-directed behavior [ 12 , 13 ], is positively associated with physical exercising and CRF level in both children and older adults [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. However, the effects of exercise interventions in early adulthood on EC performance are not fully understood [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Classroom Movement Breaks and Physically Active Learning Are Feasible, Reduce Sedentary Behaviour and Fatigue, and May Increase Focus in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…This period of early adulthood can be a critical time for the development of obesity as an increased body mass index (BMI) during this time is associated with higher morbidity, premature mortality, and chronic obesity [21]. As well as the health benefits of physical activity, observational studies have shown increased physical activity is linked to improved cognitive function including executive function in university students [22][23][24], improved mood, lowered stress [25], and improved working memory capacity [26]. In contrast, sedentary behaviour related to uninterrupted sitting has been shown to increase discomfort and sleepiness [27] in this population.…”

Sport Practice, Fluid Reasoning, and Soft Skills in 10- to 18-Year-Olds

“…That is why international organizations support them and recommend that people aim for (or maintain) adequate and healthy levels of physical activity and engage in sports ( World Health Organization., 2019 ). Researchers are also paying more and more attention to how engaging in physical activity and sports is associated with other domains, such as academic performance ( St Clair-Thompson and Gathercole, 2006 ), or with positive aging ( Salas-Gomez et al, 2020 ). For older children and adolescents, doing sports may also have other important benefits.…”

“…The latter association might be particularly important at a malleable age, such as adolescence, when an individual’s cognition and personality take shape ( Paus, 2005 ; Steinberg, 2005 ; Heckman, 2011 ; Thompson et al, 2019 ). Results of studies sustaining the hypothesis of a correlation between sports or physical activity and cognitive abilities or soft skills are mixed ( Carson et al, 2016 ; Li et al, 2017 ; Salas-Gomez et al, 2020 ), however, making it difficult to precisely estimate the strength of this association.…”