Association between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Executive Function among Chinese Adolescents Aged 13-18

Objective: Explore the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and execution function (EF) among Chinese adolescents aged 13-18. Methods: After excluding invalid and outliers data, 3,465 participants (52.21%boys) from six major administrative regions in China were selected for the study. CRF (VO2max) in these adolescents was indirectly estimated using the 20m shuttle run test (20mSRT) and Léger equation. EF, including inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, was tested through the Flanker task, 2-back task, and more-odd shifting task, respectively. A shorter reaction time (RT) indicated better EF performance. Pearson correlation and stratified regression analysis were employed to investigate the association between CRF and EF among the adolescents. Results: A negative association was observed between VO2max and the RT for inhibition, 2-back, and cognitive flexibility in Chinese adolescents (r=-0.048, -0.248, -0.172, respectively, P<0.01). The VO2max was negative correlated with the RT for inhibition, 2-back, and cognitive flexibility in Chinese adolescents (r=-0.048, -0.248, -0.172, respectively, P<0.01). Stratified regression analysis, with VO2max as an independent variable and RT for inhibition, 2-back, and cognitive flexibility as dependent variables, revealed B values of -0.183, -15.099, and -3.904, respectively. This indicated that with every 1mL/kg·min increase in VO2max, the RT shortened by 0.183ms, 15.099ms, 3.904ms, respectively. Conclusion: CRF was positively associated with EF, specifically inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.