Associations Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Executive Functioning in Young Adults

Area of Science:

• Cognitive neuroscience
• Exercise physiology
• Human movement science

Background:

• Executive functioning is crucial for academic success and daily life.
• The relationship between physical activity and executive function in young adults remains under-explored.
• University students represent a key demographic for investigating lifestyle impacts on cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between objectively measured physical activity and executive functioning in university students.
• To determine if different intensities of physical activity relate to specific aspects of executive function, such as task-switching performance.

Main Methods:

• 162 university students (74 female, 88 male) participated.
• Physical activity was objectively measured using hip-mounted accelerometers.
• Executive functioning was assessed using a task-switching paradigm; anthropometrics were also recorded.

Main Results:

• Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showed a significant association with smaller global reaction time switch costs (β = -0.19, p = .02).
• Light physical activity was also associated with reduced global reaction time switch costs (β = -0.17, p = .04).
• Total physical activity and local switch costs did not show statistically significant associations with physical activity indicators.

Conclusions:

• Both moderate-to-vigorous and light physical activity are linked to improved executive function, specifically faster reaction times in task switching, among young adults.
• These findings suggest that maintaining physical activity throughout the university years may confer important cognitive benefits.
• Encouraging physical activity in young adults could be a strategy to enhance cognitive performance and support academic achievement.