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24-hour movement behaviors and internalizing and externalizing problems among Japanese preschool children: A

Pin Zhang1, Jiameng Ma2, Zan Huang3

  • 1Krirk University, Bangkok, 10220, Thailand.

Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness
|August 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Prioritizing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over sleep, sedentary behavior, and light physical activity is linked to fewer internalizing problems in preschoolers. This highlights the importance of movement behavior composition for child mental health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Behavioral Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • 24-hour movement behaviors (sleep, sedentary behavior, light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) are interconnected due to a finite time budget.
  • Analyzing movement behaviors independently may obscure their collective impact on mental health outcomes.
  • Understanding the compositional effects of movement behaviors is crucial for preschooler well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between the composition of 24-hour movement behaviors and internalizing/externalizing problem scores in Japanese preschoolers.
  • To utilize compositional data analysis (CoDA) and compositional isotemporal substitution to explore these relationships.

Main Methods:

  • 469 Japanese preschoolers (aged 3-5 years) wore accelerometers to measure sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
  • Parental reports assessed nighttime sleep duration and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire outcomes.
  • Isometric log-ratio regression and compositional isotemporal substitution models were employed, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

  • A higher relative time spent in MVPA, compared to sleep, SB, and LPA, was significantly associated with lower internalizing problem scores.
  • No significant associations were found for externalizing problem scores.
  • Model-based simulations indicated that reallocating 15 minutes from SB to MVPA predicted a decrease in internalizing scores.

Conclusions:

  • Increased relative allocation to MVPA is associated with reduced internalizing problems in preschoolers.
  • Findings are based on cross-sectional data and do not imply causality or a protective effect.
  • The composition of daily movement behaviors warrants consideration in research on child mental health.
Abstract

Keywords:
AccelerometryCompositional data analysisIsotemporal substitutionMental healthModerate-to-vigorous physical activitySedentary behavior

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