The relationship between physical activity and inhibition in children with and without motor impairments

Jane Jie Yu, Chia Liang Tsai, Chien Yu Pan, Ru Li, Cindy Hui Ping Sit

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: To examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) and inhibition in boys and girls with motor impairments compared with children with typical development. Methods: The participants were 58 (26 motor impairments and 32 typical development) children aged 7-12 years who met the inclusion criteria. PA was assessed using accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. The time spent in PA of different intensity levels (light, moderate, and vigorous) were analyzed for weekdays and weekends. Using a visuospatial attention paradigm, inhibition was evaluated by the difference in reaction time between invalid and valid cue conditions. Generalized linear mixed models were used to determine the associations of inhibition with PA and motor ability by sex. Results: Boys and children with typical development had shorter reaction times in inhibition than girls (P <.001) and children with motor impairments (P <.05), respectively. Motor ability (b = 189.98) and vigorous PA on weekdays (b = −43.18) were significant predictors of inhibition in girls only. Conclusions: The results indicate a positive relationship between vigorous PA (on weekdays) and inhibition in children (girls), moderated by sex and motor ability. Effective interventions that promote vigorous PA for children both in and out of school should be designed to foster their executive function development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1118-1124
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health
Volume17
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Nov

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Medicine(all)

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