Author(s): LIU, J., SONG, H., SUN, F., Institution: BEIJING NORMAL-HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 600

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.