The Neurocognitive Dynamics of Endurance: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Running, Psychological Control, and Emotional Regulation

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cartesian dualism that once strictly separated the mind from the body has been systematically dismantled by modern cognitive neuroscience. Nowhere is this reintegration more evident than in the study of endurance running. Far from being a purely mechanical act of locomotion, running is a cognitively demanding task that recruits high-order neural resources to regulate pace, suppress the urge to quit, and manage physiological distress. This meta-analysis seeks to quantify and contextualize the relationship between aerobic exercise&mdash;specifically running&mdash;and psychological control, defined here as the aggregate of executive functions (EF), inhibitory control, and emotional regulation (ER).</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">As global trends indicate a rising prevalence of mental health disorders </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">1</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the search for non-pharmacological interventions has intensified. Physical activity is frequently prescribed as a somatic treatment, yet its efficacy as a cognitive modulator remains a subject of intense empirical scrutiny. The "runner&rsquo;s high," once relegated to anecdotal folklore, is now being mapped onto specific neurochemical pathways involving endocannabinoids and neurotrophins like Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). However, the translation of these biological mechanisms into measurable behavioral outcomes&mdash;such as improved focus, better impulse control, and enhanced emotional stability&mdash;requires rigorous statistical validation.</span>