Reallocation of time between preschoolers’ 24-h movement behaviours and executive functions: A compositional data analysis

ABSTRACT

The objectives of the survey were to explored the associations of the 24-h movement behaviours (MB) with executive functions (EFs) and quantified the predicted changes in EFs following allocation of time among behaviours. In the cross-sectional survey, 135 preschoolers (3 ~ 5 years) were enrolled. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary (SED) time were objectively measured employing an ActiGraph GT9X. Sleep time was reported by parents. EFs were assessed using the iPad-based Early Years Toolbox which is a collection of computerized tasks consisting of brief tasks assessed from games administered and scored according to protocol. To explore the associations of the 24-h MB with EFs, compositional multiple linear regression was employed. To quantify the predicted changes in EFs following allocation of time among behaviours, compositional isotemporal substitution was used. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was positively related to cognitive flexibility. Replacing sleep or SED with MVPA was associated with positive changes in cognitive flexibility. When MVPA was replaced with sleep or SED, the predicted detriments to cognitive flexibility were larger than predicted benefits of replacing sleep or SED with MVPA. The findings highlight the key role of intensity of PA for preschoolers’ EFs and the importance of meeting recommended levels of MVPA.

KEYWORDS:

• 24-h movement behaviours
• executive functions
• compositional analysis
• moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
• preschoolers

Acknowledgments

We would like to sincerely thank the contributions of all the participants and research staff of the study. In addition, we thank Chuo Zhao for her assistance in statistical analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2260632.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the career development special plan project of Beijing Municipal Health Commission, The High-Level Talent Development Program in Health under the Health System in Beijing (2015-3-88). The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.