ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH16
INTRODUCTION: The concept of 24-hour movement behaviours, which encompasses physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB), and sleep, has recently been shown to be positively associated with executive function (EF). However, longitudinal evidence regarding how the composition of these daily movement behaviours influences EF in preschool children remains limited. This longitudinal study aimed to: 1) examine the dynamic associations between 24-hour movement behaviours and three core EF domains in preschool children: working memory (verbal and visuospatial), inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility; 2) investigate the predicted changes in each EF domain one year later based on 15-minute reallocations among different movement behaviours at baseline. METHODS: The study sample comprised 235 preschool children (aged 3-4 years; 52.8% boys) enrolled in kindergartens in Zhuhai City, China. PA and SB were measured using accelerometers, and sleep duration was assessed through parent reports. EF domains were evaluated using standardised tools: the Digit Span Recall Forward Test (verbal working memory), the Corsi Block-Tapping Task (visuospatial working memory), the Child Flanker Test with Fish (inhibitory control), and the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task (cognitive flexibility). All measures were recorded at baseline, with three EF subdomains reassessed at one-year follow-up. Compositional linear regression and isotemporal substitution modelling were employed for data analysis, adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index. RESULTS: Baseline compositions of movement behaviours significantly predicted EF outcomes at the one-year follow-up (all p < 0.001). Specifically, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was positively associated with inhibitory control (β = 3.83, p = 0.005), while light PA was negatively associated with visuospatial working memory (β = -8.97, p = 0.039). Time reallocation analyses indicated that replacing 15 minutes of SB, light PA, or sleep with MVPA resulted in significant improvements in inhibitory control. Additionally, reallocating 15 minutes from light PA to SB was associated with gains in visuospatial working memory. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the influential role of daily movement behaviour compositions in the development of executive functions during early childhood. The findings offer valuable insights for early interventions and educational strategies aimed at enhancing EF through the optimisation of 24-hour movement behaviour patterns.
Read CV Jing LiuECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH16
INTRODUCTION: Workplace active breaks may counteract sedentary behaviour (1), yet limited evidence exists regarding the influence of age and adherence on functional adaptations. The purpose of this study was to examine, in a 6-week pilot intervention, whether a workplace active break programme improves functional fitness in female university staff, and whether age and attendance influence responsiveness. METHODS: Twenty-eight women (14 <50 years, 14 >=50 years) participated in a 6-week intervention consisting of supervised 10-min sessions (strength, mobility, flexibility), 5 days per week during working hours. Outcomes included the 30-s chair stand test (CST), toe touch test (TTT), and handgrip strength (dominant and non-dominant). Pre-post changes were analysed using paired tests. Associations between attendance percentage (%Att) and performance improvements were investigated only for variables showing significant changes. Age effects were explored through subgroup analyses and regression models including an interaction term. RESULTS: CST improved substantially overall (15.93 (3.75) to 22.89 (5.13) repetitions; mean change +6.96 (4.48); p<0.001; d=1.55). Improvements were significant in both <50 (+8.00 (3.57), p<0.001) and >=50 years (+5.93 (5.17), p=0.001), with no significant difference between age groups (p=0.23). TTT showed a small, non-significant improvement (p=0.064). Handgrip strength did not improve in either the dominant or non-dominant hand (p>=0.45). Attendance percentage was positively associated with CST improvement (r=0.40, p=0.035). This relationship was stronger in women >=50 years (r=0.61, p=0.021) than in those <50 years (r=0.18, p=0.53), although the age interaction term was not statistically significant (p=0.18). CONCLUSION: A brief, structured workplace active break programme elicited large improvements in lower-body functional strength in female employees, irrespective of age. While mean gains did not differ significantly between younger and older women, adherence appeared particularly relevant for optimising adaptations in participants aged >=50 years, suggesting a potentially greater dose-response sensitivity in older employees. These findings support the implementation of short, supervised exercise breaks as a practical strategy to preserve functional capacity in ageing working populations and to promote healthy ageing in the workplace. Future research should confirm these findings in larger samples, explore long-term sustainability, and examine whether adherence-targeted strategies enhance functional outcomes in ageing occupational populations. (1) Parry, S., Straker, L., Gilson, N. D., & Smith, A. J. (2013). Participatory workplace interventions can reduce sedentary time for office workers--a randomised controlled trial. PloS one, 8(11), e78957. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078957
Read CV Enrique ColinoECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH16
INTRODUCTION: Sleep, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behavior (SB) are well-established determinants of overall health and well-being. Regular PA supports both physical and mental health, whereas insufficient sleep and excessive sedentary time are associated with adverse health outcomes. Globally, a large proportion of adults are insufficiently active, and PA levels tend to decline with age. Early adulthood is a demanding and formative life stage, often marked by increasing career and family responsibilities that may shape behavior patterns. However, objective measurements on sleep, PA, and SB during this period are limited, and little is known about how Icelanders in this age group allocate their time. The aim of this study was to describe free-living patterns of sleep, PA, and SB among 36-year-old Icelanders using accelerometers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 276 ostensibly healthy Icelandic adults (51% female), aged 36 years at the time of data collection (October 2024–June 2025). Eligibility criteria included being born in 1988 and residing permanently in Iceland. Free-living behavior patterns were assessed using wrist-worn ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer, worn continuously (24 h/day) for seven consecutive days. Participants were required to provide at least three valid weekdays and one valid weekend day, with ≥20 hours of wear time per day. Sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity were classified using cut-points developed for wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers in free-living adults. RESULTS: A total of 265 participants (51% female) provided valid accelerometer measurements and were included in the analysis. Participants slept an average of 7.24 hours per day (SD = 2.29). Mean sedentary time was 10.57 hours per day (SD = 0.51). Average light PA (LPA) was 3.45 hours per day (SD = 1.44), while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) averaged 2.01 hours per day (SD = 1.36). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that 36-year-old Icelanders spend a large proportion of their waking hours in sedentary behavior. Low variability in sedentary time suggests that most individuals remain inactive throughout the day. In contrast, MVPA and sleep showed high variability, reflecting substantial inter-individual differences in activity and sleep patterns. Representing roughly 5% of the Icelandic population born in 1988, this nationally representative cohort provides valuable, objective insights into movement behaviors in early adulthood. Given that excessive sedentary time is associated with poorer health outcomes, replacing sedentary behavior with physical activity of any intensity is recommended to reduce health risks and promote overall well-being.
Read CV Kristrun BjörnsdottirECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH16