Background:Previous research has demonstrated that high self-control is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in young people. However, the associations of self-control with objective health measures (blood pressure, blood glucose, and plasma insulin), different components of physical fitness (motor and musculoskeletal fitness), motor competence and well-being remain largely unexplored. Methods:Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 149 young people (aged 9-13 years) from the East Midlands, England completed measures of self-control, physical fitness, adiposity, well-being, motor competence, and cardiometabolic health. Univariate Pearson correlations, best-subset regression and simple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results:High self-control was associated with better well-being (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (r = 0.21, p = 0.012), musculoskeletal fitness (r = 0.19, p = 0.020), and motor fitness (r = 0.23, p = 0.004). Best subset regression modeling identified the combination of predictors that best explained the variance in self-control, which included well-being, physical fitness (time on 4 x 10 m shuttle run), and HOMA-IR, with these effects independent of each other. Each individual component of well-being (physical well-being; p < 0.001, psychological well-being; p < 0.001, autonomy and parents; p < 0.001, and school environment; p < 0.001) was positively associated with self-control. Conclusions:The present study's findings support the notion that self-control could be a significant and attractive target for future interventions focused at encouraging healthy behaviors in young people, and ultimately enhancing well being.

Background: Physical activity requiring self-control may yield greater post-activity cognitive improvements. Implementing such tasks within The Daily Mile could enhance cognition further while adding variety to the initiative. This study examined whether the inclusion of self-control tasks within The Daily Mile influences subsequent cognition and enjoyment. Methods: Participants, numbering 99 (10.2 ± 1.1 y), completed three trials (Daily Mile Normal, Daily Mile Self-Control, and resting), using a within-subject, order-balanced, crossover design. The Daily Mile Self-Control involved students completing tasks requiring self-control for 30 s every 2 min within The Daily Mile. Cognitive tests (Stroop test, Sternberg Paradigm, Visual Search test) were administered prior to, immediately following and 45 min following The Daily Mile and resting trials. During the trials, distance covered (m), average heart rate (beats·min-1) and physical activity enjoyment (PACES) were measured. Focus groups explored factors affecting enjoyment during The Daily Mile trials. The effects of physical activity vs. rest on cognitive function were examined first, followed by the effect of adding self-control tasks to The Daily Mile. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the Daily Mile trials on distance covered or physical activity enjoyment. However, average heart rate was significantly higher in The Daily Mile Self-Control compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Compared to rest, The Daily Mile had a positive effect on inhibitory control. Working-memory accuracy maintained following activity, but perceptual accuracy was briefly impaired. Following the addition of self-control tasks, working memory response times improved. However, accuracy on inhibitory control and perception declined immediately after activity, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Thematic analysis indicated varied perceptions among participants, with some valuing the simplicity and control of The Daily Mile Normal, and others favoring The Daily Mile Self-Control due to the variety and cognitive challenge. Conclusions: Incorporating self-control tasks into The Daily Mile produced mixed cognitive and qualitative responses, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. This suggests that tailoring physical activity to individual preferences may optimize engagement and cognitive outcomes.

Executive function is typically considered from a chronological age perspective, despite the influence of biological maturity on executive function development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of chronological age and biological maturity on inhibitory control and working memory, separately in boys and girls (due to sex differences in biological maturation). The study employed a cross-sectional design and, following familiarization, 736 (400 female) young people (12.3 ± 1.3 years) completed tests of cognitive function on two separate occasions. Participants completed the Stroop test to measure inhibitory control and the Sternberg paradigm to measure working memory. Chronological age and biological maturity were calculated for each participant. Linear regression models were performed separately for boys and girls. Two models were fit for each test and level of executive function: a chronological age model (executive function x chronological age) and a biological maturity model (executive function x biological maturity). Higher chronological age and biological maturity were associated with superior performance on inhibitory control and working memory tests. In boys, the biological maturity models were a significantly better fit (vs. chronological age), whilst in girls, the chronological age models were a better fit (vs. biological maturity). This study provides novel evidence that biological maturity is associated with inhibitory control and working memory. Emphasizing that future investigations into inhibitory control and working memory in young people should consider biological maturity, especially in boys.

Background/Objectives: Physical inactivity is associated with increased cardiometabolic disease risk and poor cognition in children and their parents. Family-based physical activity offers an opportunity for children and their parents to engage in physical activity concurrently. The present study examined the effect of an acute bout of family-based tag rugby on risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cognition in families. Additionally, this study qualitatively explored families' perceptions of enjoyment and factors affecting implementation with considerations for socioeconomic status. Methods: Sixteen families (27 children, 20 parents) participated in an exercise (45 min family-based tag rugby) and resting control trial (45 min seated rest), separated by seven days. Postprandial gylcaemia, insulinaemia, lipaemia and cognitive function were measured following exercise/rest. Families also participated in whole-family focus groups and separate parent and child interviews. Results: In parents, postprandial plasma insulin concentrations were lower on the exercise trial than the rested control trial at 30 min (p = 0.004) and 120 min following the consumption of a standardised lunch (p = 0.011). In children, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency scores on the Sternberg paradigm (three-item) was exhibited (p = 0.016). In parents, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency score on the Stroop congruent test was exhibited (trial*time interaction; p = 0.012), whereby inverse efficiency scores improved immediately post-exercise, compared with the rested control trial (p = 0.016). Qualitatively, families from all socioeconomic backgrounds agreed that tag rugby is an inclusive, enjoyable mode of physical activity that families want to participate in together, which can be adapted to overcome the barriers associated with the cost of and access to local facilities. Conclusions: An acute bout of tag rugby improved postprandial insulin concentrations in parents and cognitive function in children and their parents. Tag rugby was deemed an appropriate exercise modality for families from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

The facilitators and barriers to family-based physical activity, child and parent perceptions of the factors influencing their perceived feasibility of family-based physical activity, and the impact of socioeconomic status on these, are relatively unexplored. This study aimed to determine the barriers and facilitators to, and factors influencing the perceived feasibility of, family-based physical activity, with consideration of the impact of socioeconomic status. Focus groups and separate parent and child interviews were conducted with 24 families (n = 79; 37 parents, 42 children) in the East Midlands, UK, who were categorised into low (deciles 1–3; 5 families), middle (deciles 4–7; 8 families), or high (deciles 8–10; 11 families) socioeconomic status using the UK index of multiple deprivation score, 2019. Regardless of socioeconomic status, parental role modelling was a key facilitator, whilst high cost and lack of free time were barriers for all families. In addition, low socioeconomic status families discussed child role modelling as a facilitator, and the access to and provision of local facilities as a barrier to physical activity, whilst this was a facilitator for middle-high socioeconomic status families. Regardless of socioeconomic status, when discussing factors influencing the perceived feasibility of family-based physical activity, differing levels of fitness between children and parents was a factor mentioned across generations. All parents thought family-based physical activity would allow for quality family-time, whilst younger children (8–12 years old) expressed that family-based physical activity sessions would feel safe. Thus, family-based physical activity may offer a promising opportunity to increase physical activity in children and parents concurrently, allowing for quality family-time, while providing a safe environment for younger children to exercise whilst utilising parent and child role modelling. Multi-level family physical activity programmes embedded within the community, which incorporate low-cost activities, work- and school-life balance strategies and support for parents’ fitness are crucial to support families (from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds) in increasing their physical activity levels. The design and development of future physical activity programmes should consider establishing family-based physical activity with younger children (8–12 years old) with the integration of team sports.

Background: Substantial evidence demonstrates the beneficial acute effect of physical activity and the outdoor environment independently on cognitive function. However, evidence for their potential synergistic effects remain unknown. Methods: Following familiarisation, forty-five children (aged 11-13 years) took part in an identical physical activity session outdoors and indoors; and completed a battery of cognitive tests (Stroop test, Sternberg paradigm, and Flanker task) before, immediately post-, and 45 min post-physical activity. Results: Following outdoor, compared to indoor, physical activity response time was improved more immediately post-physical activity on the 3-item level of the Sternberg Paradigm (-34 ms vs +14 ms; P = 0.001), at 45 min post-physical activity on the complex level of the Stroop test (-94 ms vs -20 ms; P = 0.002), the 1-item (-9 ms vs +71 ms; P = 0.026) and 3-item level of the Sternberg paradigm (-37 ms vs +69 ms; P < 0.001), and the congruent level of the Flanker test (-44 ms vs -14 ms; P = 0.001). Accuracy was also improved more outdoors (compared to indoors) immediately post-physical activity (+2.0 % vs +0.4 %; P = 0.036) and 45 min post-physical activity (+2.0 % vs +0.1 %; P = 0.043) on the complex level of the Stroop test and on the incongruent level of the Flanker test (no change vs -3 %; P = 0.008). Discussion: This is the first study to demonstrate superior cognitive benefits of outdoor, compared to indoor, physical activity. The overarching finding of this investigation is that physical activity performed outdoors significantly improves cognitive function more than when performed indoors, suggesting a synergistic effect between physical activity and the outdoor environment.

IntroductionThis study aimed to address a gap in the literature by examining Key Stage One teachers’ perceptions of the facilitators and barriers to implementing physically active mathematics lessons in UK primary schools after administering a physically active mathematics intervention for 6 weeks. Incorporating physical activity into academic lessons presents a unique approach to increasing physical activity among children without compromising the time allotted for academic lessons.MethodsThe intervention was designed in collaboration with the participants and the research team. The study employed a mixed methods approach, utilizing a parallel design in which 14 current key stage one teachers (men = 1, women=13) participated. The participating teachers delivered 6 weeks of physically active mathematics lessons in their respective schools. Training (through two preparatory workshops), schemes of work, and equipment were provided to participants before the intervention began. Survey data were collected through pre- and post-intervention surveys and a weekly intervention delivery log. Participants engaged in individual semi-structured interviews post-intervention. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis.ResultsThe combined average number of minutes participants could implement physically active mathematics lessons each week was 59 min. Paired samples t-tests revealed a significant increase in participants’ confidence in delivering physically active mathematics lessons from pre-intervention (M = 2.86, SD = 2.23) to post-intervention (M = 8.31, SD = 1.07; t (12) = −6.739, p < 0.001). Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed through thematic analysis. Several facilitators and barriers to implementing PALs were identified. Key facilitators identified in this study included training, availability of ready-to-use resources, and increased teacher confidence. Furthermore, physically active lessons (PALs) were easier to implement in contexts where play-based learning approaches from the early years foundations stage could naturally extend into subsequent years. However, key barriers included classroom management challenges, time constraints, and space limitations. Additionally, the specific timing of implementation posed challenges, with cold weather restricting outdoor activities and Christmas-related commitments detracting from the time available for PALs.DiscussionThis study highlights the feasibility of implementing physically active mathematics lessons into the curriculum of UK primary schools and provides key considerations for schools aiming to successfully implement these lessons to best aid the implementation of physically active mathematics lessons.

Background and aims The present study aimed to examine the effect of an acute bout of circuit-base exercise on executive function, visual perception and sleep parameters in neurodiverse children. Methods After familiarisation, 34 children (4 female) with ADHD and/or ASD completed two trials (30-min circuit-based exercise (E) or a rested control (C) trial) in a randomised, counterbalanced, crossover design. Participants completed cognitive function tests (Stroop test, Sternberg Paradigm and Visual Search Test) at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and the morning after exercise. Participants were provided with a wrist actigraph to wear overnight to determine sleep duration, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, and sleep latency. Statistical analyses were conducted via ANCOVA, with diagnosis included as a covariate. Results Accuracy on the Stroop test (complex level) was better maintained following circuit-based exercise when compared with rest immediately post-exercise (E: 1.88% decreased accuracy; C: 4.73% decreased accuracy, p = 0.009), and on day two (E: 1.22% increased accuracy; C: 6.37% decreased accuracy; p < 0.001). Accuracy on the Sternberg Paradigm (5-item level) was improved immediately post-exercise on the exercise trial when compared with rest (E: 0.37% decreased accuracy; C: 7.29% decreased accuracy; p = 0.011). Improvements in accuracy across both tests were at the expense of response time, which was slower on the exercise trial (all p < 0.05). Sleep parameters did not differ across trials (all p > 0.05). Conclusion Moderate intensity circuit-based exercise is an ecologically valid exercise modality that, acutely, improves executive function (compared to rest), which may alleviate the impaired executive function in children with ADHD and ASD.

Scaling, to remove the effects of body size, is an important methodological approach for enabling an equitable comparison of performance differences between individuals who vary in anthropometric characteristics. Many previous studies using scaling in sport have done so based on only one or two anthropometric characteristics, with only one study to date adopting a three-dimensional approach. To apply a three-dimensional allometric model to rowing ergometer performance (REP) in adolescents, and to detect whether key 'scaling' parameters remain stable when scaling REP both before and after a 6-week training intervention. Novel three-dimensional allometric models were used, incorporating body mass, stature and waist circumference (WC) to detect the most appropriate body size dimension(s) and scaling parameters associated with REP before and after a 6-week training intervention. Using this more flexible and sensitive three-dimensional allometry demonstrated that, following 6-weeks of training, there was a change in the ideal body shape associated with REP. Before training, taller, but not heavier, adolescents performed better. After 6-weeks of training, older participants with a greater body mass but smaller WC performed better. Scaling approaches are important for evaluating performance differences between individuals of differing body size. The findings from the current study (using a novel three-dimensional allometry approach) emphasise that relatively subtle changes in individuals' behavioural characteristics, such as changes in their training/fitness status, can result in quite dramatic changes in the body dimension characteristics and scaling parameters deemed to be key for performance in activities such as REP.

The aim of the present study was to investigate if physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness influence cognition, self-control, and resilience in young people with ADHD. Fifty-four children with ADHD (12.8 ± 1.4 y) completed questionnaires to assess self-control and resilience, wore an accelerometer for 7 d to assess free-living physical activity, and completed a battery of cognitive function tasks and a multi-stage fitness test (cardiorespiratory fitness). Positive associations were found between cardiorespiratory fitness and attention, measured via performance on the simple Stroop task (r(52) = −0.386, p = 0.004) and the congruent Flanker task (r(52) = −0.302, p = 0.026), and inhibitory control, measured via performance on the incongruent level of the Flanker task (r(52) = −0.348, p = 0.010). Furthermore, a higher proportion of active time spent in high-intensity activities (r(37) = 0.370, p = 0.021) were associated with higher self-control. No associations were found between physical activity or cardiorespiratory fitness and resilience (all p > 0.05). These findings demonstrate the importance of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness for cognition and self-control in young people with ADHD.

The associations between self-control and objective measures of physical activity, physical fitness, and adiposity are yet to be explored in young people; this is a gap in the literature that the present study aimed to address. The study employed a cross-sectional design. A total of 101 young people participated in the study. Participants completed the Brief Self-Control Scale as a measure of trait self-control. Free-living physical activity was assessed using an ActiGraph GT3X + triaxial accelerometer, which was worn for 7 days. Participants also completed the 15-meter version of the multistage fitness test as a measure of physical fitness. For the assessment of adiposity, three criterion measures were used: body mass index (BMI), sum of skinfolds, and waist circumference. Data were analyzed using the glm function in the open access software R. Higher levels of trait self-control were associated with higher levels of physical fitness (measured by distance run on the multistage fitness test) and lower adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, and sum of skinfolds) in adolescents. There was a tendency for a positive association between self-control and time spent in vigorous physical activity, although this did not reach statistical significance. In a combined model, self-control was also associated with both physical fitness and waist circumference, with these effects independent of each other. These findings suggest that self-control is associated with healthy behaviors and characteristics in adolescents and is thus potentially an attractive target for future interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and physical fitness and reducing adiposity in this population.

ABSTRACT Purpose Childhood obesity is a major health concern and physical activity is commonly proposed as an intervention strategy to combat the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in young people. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of high-intensity, supervised, rowing ergometer training on maximal and submaximal rowing performance in healthy weight and centrally obese adolescents (12–13 yr). Methods Participants were randomized to either 6 wk of supervised rowing ergometry, comprising of 2 sessions per week with each session comprising of 2 × 3-min bouts of high-intensity rowing ergometry ( n = 57), or a control group who continued with their habitual activities ( n = 45). At baseline and follow-up, rowing performance was assessed via a submaximal test and a 3-min maximal test. Results Six weeks of rowing ergometer training significantly improved maximal exercise performance; total distance rowed in a 3-min maximal effort improved by 19.7 m (2.7%) (time × group, P = 0.018) and produced a significant reduction in perceived effort in response to a set submaximal load (60 W) (time × group, P = 0.040). At baseline total distance rowed during the 3-min maximal test was significantly affected by body mass (main effect of body mass, P = 0.002), whereby a higher body mass was associated with enhanced rowing performance. However, the pattern of change over time was not different between healthy weight and centrally obese adolescents (time × group × waist centile, P = 0.577). Conclusions A 6-wk high-intensity rowing ergometry training intervention improved maximal rowing performance. This improvement was similar in healthy weight versus overweight and obese adolescents; yet overall overweight and obese adolescents had superior rowing performance compared to their healthy weight counterparts, suggesting that rowing may be an attractive exercise modality for interventions in overweight and obese young people.

Despite the importance of physical education (PE) lessons for physical activity in adolescents, the acute cognitive responses to PE lessons have not been explored; a gap in the literature that this study addresses. Following familiarisation, 76 (39 female) adolescents (12.2 +/- 0.4 y) completed two trials (60 min games-based PE lesson and 60 min academic lesson) separated by 7-d in a counterbalanced, crossover design. Attention, executive function, working memory, and perception were assessed 30 min before, immediately post, and 45 min post-lesson in both trials. Participants were split into high-and low-fit groups based on a gender-specific median split of distance run on the multi-stage fitness test. Furthermore, participants were split into high and low MVPA groups based on a gender-specific median split of MVPA time (time spent >64% HR max) during the PE lesson. Overall, a 60 min games-based PE lesson had no effect on perception, working memory, attention, or executive function in adolescents (all p > 0.05) unless MVPA time is high. The physical activity-cognition relationship was moderated by MVPA, as working memory improved post-PE lesson in adolescents who completed more MVPA during their PE lesson (time*trial*MVPA interaction, p < 0.05, partial eta(2) = 0.119). Furthermore, high-fit adolescents displayed superior cognitive function than their low-fit counterparts, across all domains of cognitive function (main effect of fitness, all p < 0.05, partial eta(2) 0.014-0.121). This study provides novel evidence that MVPA time moderates the cognitive response to a games-based PE lesson; and emphasises that higher levels of fitness are beneficial for cognitive function in adolescents.

The present study examined the agreement and equivalence between two physical activity processing methods. Data were obtained from 161 Hong-Kong adolescents (74 girls, age: 12.6 ± 1.7y). Participants wore an Actigraph GT3XBT on their non-dominant wrist for 7d. Time spent sedentary, and in light-(LPA), moderate-(MPA), vigorous-(VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were calculated using different processing methods (proprietary counts and Euclidean Norm Minus One (ENMO)). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to examine absolute agreement (ICC2) and consistency (ICC3), and equivalence was assessed using pairwise equivalence tests. Using ENMO, sedentary time and VPA were higher, whereas all other behaviours were lower (compared to counts processing). Agreement ranged from poor (ICC2:0.42(Sedentary)) to moderate (ICC2:0.86(LPA)) and consistency ranged from moderate (ICC3:0.71(sedentary)) to good (ICC3:0.91(LPA)). Methods were not considered equivalent (all p > 0.05). Due to differences in the wear-time validation of processing methods, a sensitivity analyses (sub-sample with the same valid wear time for both methods (n = 56)), resulted in minimal change. Lack of agreement and equivalence between ENMO and counts processing methods suggests that the processing method significantly affects youth physical activity estimates.

Although risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases begin to present in young people, the association between physical fitness and adiposity with traditional and novel risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases across adolescence remains relatively unknown. Following ethical approval, fifty-two adolescents (age 11.6 ± 0.6 years; 32 girls) were recruited for a 2-years longitudinal study. Adiposity was assessed based on sum of skinfolds, waist circumference and body mass index, and physical fitness as distance run on the multi-stage fitness test (MSFT). Risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases (pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, plasma insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance - HOMA-IR, blood pressure) were measured following an overnight fast. Relationships between independent and response variables were analysed using multi-level modelling (final combined models were created using the stepwise backward elimination method). Plasma insulin concentration and HOMA-IR were positively associated with adiposity and inversely associated with distance run on the MSFT (all p < 0.05). The final combined models for plasma insulin concentration and HOMA-IR contained main effects for age, skinfolds and distance run on the MSFT. Levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were inversely related to the sum of skinfolds (p = 0.046), whereas there was a trend for levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α to be positively related to the sum of skinfolds (p = 0.056). Adiposity and physical fitness are important, independent, determinants of metabolic health in adolescents. Furthermore, adiposity influences levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in adolescence, with greater adiposity associated with a poorer inflammatory profile. The present study demonstrates an independent effect of physical fitness on metabolic health longitudinally across adolescence. It is therefore recommended that future work develops therapeutic interventions that reduce adiposity and enhance physical fitness in adolescents, to promote lifelong health.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of 5-weeks participation in The Daily Mile on cognitive function, physical fitness, and adiposity in primary school children. In a quasi-experimental study, one class from each school completed The Daily Mile (n = 44) or acted as a control group (n = 35). Baseline measures included cognitive function tests (Stroop test, Sternberg paradigm, Flanker task), physical fitness (multi-stage fitness test) and body composition (BMI percentile, waist:hip circumference, sum of skinfolds). The intervention group completed 5-weeks of The Daily Mile. Follow-up measurements were completed within 48-h of the last training session. Data were analysed via ANCOVA, examining between group differences at follow-up, controlling for baseline values. Response times on the complex Stroop test were faster at follow-up in the intervention group (Intervention: 1357 ms [1280–1400 ms]; Control: 1463 ms, [1410–1523 ms], d = 0.31 , p = 0.048). There was no effect of The Daily Mile on the Sternberg paradigm or Flanker test. Physical fitness was greater at follow-up in the intervention group (Intervention: 880 m, [820–940 m]; Control: 740 m, [680–800 m], d = 0.39, p = 0.002). There was no effect of the intervention on adiposity. In conclusion, five-weeks of The Daily Mile enhanced inhibitory control and physical fitness in children, but did not affect working memory, attention, or adiposity.

Background The cross-sectional associations between physical activity, physical fitness and adiposity with risk factors for cardiometabolic disease (particularly novel ones such as inflammatory cytokines) and cognitive function across the period of adolescence are not well understood. Additionally, novel physical activity metrics that summarise activity volume and intensity in a continuous manner have not been investigated in this context. Therefore, this study investigated the cross-sectional associations between physical activity, physical fitness and adiposity with risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cognitive function. These associations were compared between younger and older adolescents. Methods Seventy younger (11-12y, 35 girls) and 43 older (14-15y, 27 girls) adolescents volunteered to take part in the study. Physical fitness (multi-stage fitness test, MSFT) and adiposity (waist circumference) were determined, followed 7d later by resting blood pressure, a fasted blood sample (glucose, plasma insulin, IL6, IL10, IL15 and IL-1β concentrations) and a cognitive function test battery. Habitual physical activity was monitored via hip-worn accelerometers over this 7-d period and the average acceleration (activity volume), and intensity gradient (intensity distribution of activity) were determined. Results Average acceleration and intensity gradient were negatively associated with mean arterial blood pressure (β = -0.75 mmHg, p = 0.021; β = -10 mmHg, p = 0.006, respectively), and waist circumference was positively associated with IL-6 concentration (β = 0.03%, p = 0.026), with stronger associations observed in older adolescents. Higher physical fitness (MSFT distance) was positively associated with anti-inflammatory IL-15 concentration (β = 0.03%, p = 0.038) and faster response times on the incongruent Stroop task (β = -1.43 ms, p = 0.025), the one-item level of the Sternberg paradigm (β = -0.66 ms, p = 0.026) and the simple (β = 0.43 ms, p = 0.032) and complex (β = -2.43 ms, p = 0.020) levels of the visual search test, but these were not moderated by age group. Conclusions The present study highlights the important role of physical activity (both the volume and intensity distribution) and physical fitness for cardio-metabolic health. Furthermore, the present study highlights the importance of physical fitness for a variety of cognitive function domains in adolescents, irrespective of age.