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Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Abstract

Background: Executive function (EF) is an important component of cognitive function, referring to a higher-level cognitive process that coordinates and controls various basic cognitive processes when completing complex cognitive tasks. It includes three sub-functions: inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Globally, high rates of overweight and obesity remain a public health issue. Previous studies have shown that, compared to adolescents with healthy weight, adolescents with obesity have poorer inhibitory function in EF. In addition, the effectiveness of the exercise intervention is seen in the normal adolescent population as well as in special adolescents with poor EF. However, there have been few studies on exercise interventions for EF in adolescents with obesity, and the characteristics of time-course changes are unclear.

Methods: 28 junior high school students with obesity were screened as the experimental group and 24 junior high school students with normal weight were randomly selected as the control group. The experimental group used a 14-week aerobic combined with resistance training exercise intervention, and the control group carried out the regular classroom exercise content. The three sub-functions of inhibition, refreshing, and switching of the obese and normal junior high school students were measured before the intervention, 12 weeks after the intervention, and 14 weeks after the intervention.

Results: The results showed that: 1) Junior high school students with obesity had lower levels of inhibition (t(50) = 3.069, p = 0.003, Cohen’s d = 0.848) and cognitive flexibility (t(50) = 2.600, p = 0.013, Cohen’s d = 0.292) than healthy weight junior high school students. 2) The aerobic exercise combined with resistance training exercise intervention had positive benefits on EF in junior high school students with obesity. The inhibition (p < 0.01, p = 0.003) and cognitive flexibility (p = 0.001, p < 0.01) at 14 and 12 weeks of intervention were significantly better than the pretest, and the working memory (p = 0.004) at 14 weeks of intervention was significantly better than that at pretest. There were no significant differences between the time points (p > 0.05) of EF in healthy weight junior high school students.

Conclusion: The study concluded that adolescents with obesity have lower levels of inhibition and cognitive flexibility than healthy weight adolescents, and the time-course effects of the improvement effects of inhibition, updating of working memory, and cognitive flexibility vary with the intervention time in adolescents with obesity.

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