The prospective associations of 24-hour movement behaviors and domain-specific activities with executive function and academic achievement among school-aged children in Singapore

• Main Authors: Padmapriya, Natarajan, Bernard, Jonathan Y., Tan, Sarah Yi Xuan, Chu, Anne H. Y., Goh, Claire Marie Jie Lin, Tan, Shuen Lin, Shek, Lynette P., Chong, Yap Seng, Tan, Kok Hian, Chan, Shiao-Yng, Yap, Fabian, Godfrey, Keith M., Lee, Yung Seng, Meaney, Michael J., Eriksson, Johan G., Tan, Chuen Seng, Law, Evelyn C., Müller-Riemenschneider, Falk
• Other Authors: Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences; Physical activity; Sedentary behavior
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/181765
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: Physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep are collectively referred to as 24-h movement behaviors, which may be linked to cognitive development in children. However, most of the evidence was based on cross-sectional studies and/or solely relied on parent-reported information on children’s behaviors, and it remains uncertain whether all domains/contexts of PA and SB are similarly associated with executive function and academic achievement. Objective: We investigated the prospective associations of accelerometer-measured 24 h-movement behaviors and domain-specific PA and SB with executive function and academic achievement among school-aged children in Singapore. Methods: The Growing Up in Singapore Toward healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort used a wrist-worn accelerometer (Actigraph-GT3x+) to measure 24 h-movement behaviors data at ages 5.5 and 8 years. Executive function and academic achievement were assessed using NEuroPSYchology (NEPSY) and Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests at ages 8.5 and 9-years, respectively. Compositional data analyses were conducted to explore the associations of 24 h-movement behavior with outcomes, and multiple linear regression models to examine the associations of domain-specific PA and SB with outcomes (n = 432). Results: Among 432 children whose parents agreed to cognitive assessments (47% girls and 58% Chinese), the composition of 24 h-movement behaviors at ages 5.5 and 8 years was not associated with executive function and academic achievement. However, higher moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) relative to remaining movement behaviors at age 5.5 years was associated with lower academic achievement [Mean difference (95% confidence interval): −0.367 (−0.726, −0.009) z-score], and reallocating MVPA time to sleep showed higher academic achievement scores [30 min from MVPA to sleep: 0.214 (0.023, 0.404) z-score]. Certain domains of PA and SB, notably organized PA/sports, outdoor play, and reading books were favorably associated with outcomes of interest, while indoor play and screen-viewing were unfavorably associated. Conclusion: The associations between movement behaviors and cognitive outcomes are multifaceted, influenced by specific domains of PA and SB. This study underscores the importance of participation in organized PA/sports, outdoor active play, and reading books, while ensuring adequate sleep and limiting screen viewing, to enhance cognitive outcomes. These findings underscore the need for further research into time-use trade-offs. Such studies could have major implications for revising current guidelines or strategies aimed at promoting healthier 24 h-movement behaviors in children. Study registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT01174875.