Anthropometric Parameters, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Executive Functions among Primary School Children

Falonn Contreras-Osorio, Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán, Enrique Cerda-Vega, Luis Chirosa-Ríos, Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo and Christian Campos-Jara
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Falonn Contreras-Osorio: Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán: Faculty of Chemical-Biological Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo de los Bravo 39087, Mexico
Enrique Cerda-Vega: Pedagogy in Physical Education and Health Career, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile 7820436, Chile
Luis Chirosa-Ríos: Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo: Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago de Chile 7591538, Chile
Christian Campos-Jara: Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago de Chile 7591538, Chile

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Physical activity during childhood and adolescence favors brain development and cognitive functioning, particularly the executive functions. This study aimed to assess potential associations between anthropometric parameters, physical activity, physical fitness, and executive functions among elementary school children returning to school after the COVID-19 lockdown in Chile. School-age male and female participants ( n = 90; age, 10–12 years) participated in the study. To determine the association between variables, a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Higher fat-related anthropometric indexes were associated with lower working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, and attention (r = −0.55 to −0.22; p = 0.031 to <0.001). In contrast, higher physical activity levels, better sprint performance, higher lower-body muscular power, and greater upper-body muscular strength were associated with better working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, planning, and/or attention (r = 0.19 to −0.54; p = 0.04 to <0.001). Current results consistently suggest the need for adequate levels of physical activity, physical fitness, and anthropometric parameters among the school-age population to promote healthy and adequate executive functions.

Keywords: executive function; anthropometry; physical fitness; human physical conditioning; muscle strength; musculoskeletal and neural physiological phenomena; physical education and training (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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