Physical Activity and Executive Functions in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Sleepiness

Fenghua Sun (), Fan Zhang, Karen Ying-Fung Ho, Borui Zhang, Zixin Wang and Andy Choi-Yeung Tse
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Fenghua Sun: Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Fan Zhang: Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Karen Ying-Fung Ho: Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Borui Zhang: Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Zixin Wang: Centre for Health Behaviours Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Andy Choi-Yeung Tse: Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-9

Abstract: (1) Background: Both physical activity and sleepiness were found to influence the development of executive functioning. The present study aimed to address the effects of different levels of physical activity on adolescents’ executive performance (i.e., working memory and inhibition), and the role of sleepiness in this relationship. It was hypothesized that a higher level of physical activity would be associated with better executive functioning, while this relationship was mediated (at least partially) by reduced sleepiness at school. (2) Methods: 212 adolescents aged from 10 to 17 were recruited, and they were requested to wear accelerometers for seven consecutive days to measure daily levels of physical activity. The Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness questionnaire (CASQ) was used to assess sleepiness. The working memory and inhibition control were assessed to indicate executive functioning. (3) Results: It was found that sedentary activity was negatively associated with working memory performance, while light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities were related to better working memory. The relationship between different levels of physical activity and working memory was mediated by reduced sleepiness at school. (4) Conclusions: Our findings provide nuanced evidence that the benefits of light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on cognitive development could be explained by reduced sleepiness at school.

Keywords: adolescents; physical activity; cognitive functions; sleepiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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