Acute 3.5-minute light-intensity exercise enhances executive function and psychological mood in children.

ABSTRACT: Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children are increasing globally, raising concerns about physical and mental health, as well as brain development. Creating effective exercise programs in everyday settings (e.g., classrooms) is essential for supporting children's health. We examined whether brief, light-intensity exercise improves executive function (Color-word Stroop task; CWST) and mood (Two-Dimensional Mood Scale; TDMS). Thirty-one children (12.0 ± 1.1 years, 54.8% boys) completed a two-condition crossover trial: (1) control, where participants completed CWST and TDMS before and after 15-min seated rest; and (2) exercise, performing a 3.5-min light-intensity exercise during rest. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (Condition × Time) showed significant interactions for inc

SUBMITTER: Naito T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12680618 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature