24-hour movement behaviour and executive function in preschoolers: A compositional and isotemporal reallocation
Thaynã Alves Bezerra1, Cain Craig Truman Clark2, Anastácio Neco De Souza Filho1
1Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
Insights
The 24-hour movement behaviour composition in preschoolers is linked to better executive function (EF). Reallocating time from sleep and light physical activity (PA) to moderate-to-vigorous PA significantly boosts EF.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Healthy behaviors in preschool children are crucial for development, particularly executive function (EF).
- The 24-hour movement behaviour (24h MB) composition, encompassing sleep, sedentary time, and physical activity, is increasingly recognized for its health implications.
- The specific relationship between the 24h MB composition and EF in preschoolers remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the associations between the 24h MB composition and EF in preschoolers.
- To investigate the theoretical impact on EF by reallocating time among different movement behaviours.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 123 preschoolers (3-5 years old) from low socioeconomic status backgrounds.
- Objective assessment of physical activity and sedentary behaviour via accelerometry over 7 days.
- Parental interviews for sleep duration and standardized EF assessment using the Early Tool Box battery.
Main Results:
- A significant positive association was found between the 24h MB composition and EF (p < .0001; R² = 0.34).
- Theoretical reallocation of time, such as shifting 5-20 minutes from sleep or light PA to moderate-to-vigorous PA, was linked to significant EF improvements (p < .05).
Conclusions:
- The study provides novel insights into the interplay between 24h MB composition and EF in preschool children.
- Findings suggest that optimizing the balance of sleep, sedentary time, and physical activity is vital for enhancing EF in early childhood.
- These results have implications for researchers and practitioners aiming to improve EF and physical activity levels in preschoolers.
Abstract:
Adherence to healthy behaviours promotes several health benefits in preschool children, including executive function (EF). Recently, the predictive power of the 24-hour movement behaviour (24 h MB) composition on health outcomes has been evidenced; however, its relationship with EF in preschoolers is unknown. Thus, the present study had two objectives: (1) to analyse the associations between the 24 h MB composition and EF of preschoolers; and (2) to investigate the theoretical changes in EF when time in different movement behaviours is reallocated. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 123 preschoolers (3-5 years old) of low socioeconomic status. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour were assessed using an accelerometer for 7 days, sleep time was obtained through interviews with parents, and EF was measured using the Early Tool Box battery. To verify the association between 24 h MB and EF, compositional data analysis was used, and for time reallocation, compositional isotemporal substitution analysis was utilized. It was observed that the 24 h MB composition was positively associated with EF (p < .0001; R² = 0.34), and that reallocating 5, 10, 15 or 20 min of the time spent on sleep and light PA to moderate-to-vigorous PA, respectively, was associated with significant improvements in EF (p < .05). These findings provide hitherto unseen insight into the relationship between 24 h MB and EF in preschool children, and warrants consideration for researchers and practitioners seeking to improve EF and PA in preschool children.
