Frontiers in Psychology (Jan 2024)

Impact of physical activity on executive functions: a moderated mediation model

  • Guoguo Zhao,
  • Kaihong Sun,
  • Jian Fu,
  • Zhe Li,
  • Dongbin Liu,
  • Xin Tian,
  • Jiehui Yang,
  • Qiushi Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1226667
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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ObjectiveTo provide both empirical support and a theoretical framework for systematically improving and optimizing the cognitive capabilities of college students through physical activity, while considering the mediating and regulating impacts of self-efficacy and negative emotion.MethodsThe study employed an overall random sampling method, examining 500 college students from five universities in Jiangsu Province using the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Adult Executive Function Scale (ADEXI), Positive and Negative Emotion Scale (PANAS), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES).ResultsThe findings indicated that the average age of the participants was 18.41 ± 0.73 years, encompassing 215 male students (43%), and 185 female students (57%). Engagement in physical activity was significantly and positively correlated with executive function (β = 0.246, p < 0.01), inversely associated with negative emotion (β = −0.137, p < 0.01), and demonstrated a significant positive predictive impact on self-efficacy (β = 0.183, p < 0.01). Self-efficacy was observed to partially mediate the relationship between executive function and physical activity. In addition, negative mood was identified as playing a partial mediating and modifying role in the relationship between executive function and physical activity.ConclusionIncreasing college students’ daily physical activity participation not only benefits their executive function, self-efficacy, and confidence levels but also exerts a limited positive impact on negative mood, with the potential to regulate the intensity of negative emotion.

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