Understanding The Relationship Between Developmental And Health Factors In Preadolescent Cognitive Function

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) during childhood is positively associated with greater cognitive functioning skills. However, early life stressors (ELS) are negatively associated with cognitive functions. The complex associations between these developmental and health factors are important to consider during childhood and warrant further investigation. METHODS: In a sample of 6-12 year old children (N = 2,909) from the Child Mind Institute Healthy Brain Network, cross-sectional data was collected. Multiple hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate our hypotheses. Regressions on cognitive function outcomes (NIH Toolbox) were used as dependent variables. Demographic variables (IQ, parent education, occupational prestige, neighborhood safety, and household income) (step 1), PA and BMI% (step 2), and adverse early life experiences (ADHD, anxiety) (step 3) were added hierarchically. Significant regressions (FDR multiple comparisons, p < .05) on cognitive function outcomes are reported. RESULTS: Significant R2 changes in PA (step 2) and anxiety (step 3) on flanker accuracy, F(4,1384) = 54.38, adj R2 = 0.13, p ≤ .001, η2 = 0.37, indicated the regressed interaction yielded a positive association with flanker accuracy, despite negative associations with anxiety. Similar models were observed for pattern processing F(4,1375) = 21.68, adj R2 = 0.06, p ≤ .001, η2 = 0.24, and fluid reasoning F(4,1604) = 1076.83, adj R2 = 0.73, p ≤ .001, η2 = 0.37. Significant R2 changes in BMI% (step 2) and anxiety (step 3) on list sort accuracy, F(4,1369) = 157.64, adj R2 = 0.31, p ≤ .001, η2 = 0.56, indicated the regressed interaction yielded a negative association with list sort accuracy. Similar models were observed for speed processing F(4,2423) = 362.38, adj R2 = 0.37, p ≤ .001, η2 = 0.61, and working memory F(4,2110) = 647.96, adj R2 = 0.55, p ≤ .001, η2 = 0.74, with ADHD in step 3. CONCLUSIONS: A complex subset of individual differences predict substantial variability in preadolescent cognitive functions. PA likely promotes cognitive function despite adverse early life experiences. Understanding the interaction between protective and negative predictors of childhood cognition is important. Future work should examine the protective threshold of PA on childhood cognitive functions for optimal PA promotion.