The Psychosocial Pathways of Expectancy-Value Beliefs, Physical Fitness, and Executive Function Among Adolescents

Background/Objectives: Adequate physical fitness has been associated with cognitive health among adolescents, and psychosocial processes may help explain this relationship. However, evidence regarding the mechanisms linking physical fitness and cognitive health remains limited. Guided by expectancy-value theory, this study examined the direct and indirect effects of expectancy-value beliefs on executive function through physical fitness among adolescents. Methods: A prospective research design was used. Participants were 424 adolescents (58% female; Mage = 12.72 years, SD = 0.93) recruited from the southwestern United States. Physical fitness components, including cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility, and body mass index (BMI), were assessed using the FITNESSGRAM^® test battery. Expectancy-value beliefs and executive function were measured using validated self-report instruments. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the proposed relationships. Results: Expectancy-value beliefs were significantly associated with all physical fitness components (rs ranged from -0.86 to 0.46, ps < 0.01) except flexibility. Cardiovascular fitness and muscular fitness were negatively associated with executive function scores (rs ranged from -0.29 to -0.21, ps < 0.01), whereas BMI was positively associated with executive function scores. The proposed model demonstrated an acceptable fit (χ²/df = 284.16/113, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.90; RMSEA = 0.06, 90% CI [0.05, 0.07]). There was a significant indirect effect of expectancy-value beliefs on executive function through physical fitness (β = -0.11). The model explained 12% of the variance in physical fitness and 9% of the variance in executive function. Conclusions: The findings provide evidence for the proposed psychosocial mediation model linking expectancy-value beliefs, physical fitness, and executive function among adolescents. It suggests strategies that strengthen perceived competence and task values may improve physical fitness and, in turn, enhance executive function.