IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i3p1100-d318465.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Physical Exercise, Fitness, Cognitive Functioning, and Psychosocial Variables in an Adolescent Sample

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael E. Reigal

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain)

  • Luna Moral-Campillo

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain)

  • Juan P. Morillo-Baro

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain)

  • Rocío Juárez-Ruiz de Mier

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain)

  • Antonio Hernández-Mendo

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain)

  • Verónica Morales-Sánchez

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain)

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the relationship between physical exercise and physical fitness with cognitive and psychosocial functioning in a group of adolescents. 167 teenagers between 14 and 15 years old ( M = 14.53; SD = 0.50) from the city of Malaga (Spain) participated in the study. This research used a comparative and predictive type of design. The Tanita ® Body Composition Monitor BC-601, some Eurofit battery tests, the D2 Attention Test, the WISC-IV Scale Symbols and Keys tests, the Form 5 Self-Concept Questionnaire (AF5), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to evaluate the study variables. The results found in this research pointed to a positive relationship between physical exercise and physical fitness with cognitive and psychosocial functioning in the adolescents analyzed. For example, adolescents who practiced more physical exercise had better scores on variables such as selective attention ( p < 0.001; η 2 = 0.10), processing speed ( p < 0.001; η 2 = 0.09) or general self-efficacy ( p < 0.001; η 2 = 0.15). In addition, cardiorespiratory fitness was the best predictor of test scores to assess cognitive ability and psychosocial variables. These findings suggest the need to promote physical exercise among young people because of its implications for various facets of their health and development

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael E. Reigal & Luna Moral-Campillo & Juan P. Morillo-Baro & Rocío Juárez-Ruiz de Mier & Antonio Hernández-Mendo & Verónica Morales-Sánchez, 2020. "Physical Exercise, Fitness, Cognitive Functioning, and Psychosocial Variables in an Adolescent Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1100-:d:318465
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/3/1100/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/3/1100/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mingli Liu & Lang Wu & Qingsen Ming, 2015. "How Does Physical Activity Intervention Improve Self-Esteem and Self-Concept in Children and Adolescents? Evidence from a Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-17, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Guoyan Xiong & Caixia Wang & Xiujie Ma, 2023. "The Relationship between Physical Activity and Mental Depression in Older Adults during the Prevention and Control of COVID-19: A Mixed Model with Mediating and Moderating Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Elena Escolano-Pérez & Marta Bestué, 2021. "Academic Achievement in Spanish Secondary School Students: The Inter-Related Role of Executive Functions, Physical Activity and Gender," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-25, February.
    3. José A. Páez-Maldonado & Rafael E. Reigal & Juan P. Morillo-Baro & Hernaldo Carrasco-Beltrán & Antonio Hernández-Mendo & Verónica Morales-Sánchez, 2020. "Physical Fitness, Selective Attention and Academic Performance in a Pre-Adolescent Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alfonso Valero-Valenzuela & Elisa Huescar & Juan L. Núñez & Luis Conte & Jaime Léon & Juan Antonio Moreno-Murcia, 2021. "Prediction of Adolescent Physical Self-Concept through Autonomous Motivation and Basic Psychological Needs in Spanish Physical Education Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Patricia Tucker & Brianne A. Bruijns & Kristi B. Adamo & Shauna M. Burke & Valerie Carson & Rachel Heydon & Jennifer D. Irwin & Andrew M. Johnson & Patti-Jean Naylor & Brian W. Timmons & Leigh M. Vand, 2022. "Training Pre-Service Early Childhood Educators in Physical Activity (TEACH): Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-27, March.
    3. Sebastiano Costa & Antonino Bianco & Valentina Polizzi & Marianna Alesi, 2021. "Happiness in Physical Activity: A Longitudinal Examination of Children Motivation and Negative Affect in Physical Activity," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1643-1655, April.
    4. Rasa Jankauskiene & Migle Baceviciene & Simona Pajaujiene & Dana Badau, 2019. "Are Adolescent Body Image Concerns Associated with Health-Compromising Physical Activity Behaviours?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Eui-Jae Lee & Wi-Young So & Hyun-Su Youn & Jooyoung Kim, 2021. "Effects of School-Based Physical Activity Programs on Health-Related Physical Fitness of Korean Adolescents: A Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-8, March.
    6. Manuel Ávila-García & María Esojo-Rivas & Emilio Villa-González & Pablo Tercedor & Francisco Javier Huertas-Delgado, 2021. "Relationship between Sedentary Time, Physical Activity, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, March.
    7. Stefania Toselli & Natascia Rinaldo & Mario Mauro & Alessia Grigoletto & Luciana Zaccagni, 2022. "Body Image Perception in Adolescents: The Role of Sports Practice and Sex," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    8. Dongwook Cho & Sung Kyeom Kim, 2022. "Adolescents’ Self-Esteem Associated with Solitary, Passive, and Active Leisure Activities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, April.
    9. Juan Gregorio Fernández-Bustos & Juan Carlos Pastor-Vicedo & Irene González-Martí & Ricardo Cuevas-Campos, 2020. "Physical Fitness and Peer Relationships in Spanish Preadolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-11, March.
    10. David Álvarez-García & Andrea Núñez & María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes & José Carlos Núñez, 2019. "Peer Victimization in Overweight Adolescents and Its Effect on Their Self-Esteem and Peer Difficulties," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, December.
    11. HangUk Cheon & Seijun Lim, 2020. "Pursuing Sustainable Happiness through Participation in Exercise for South Korean Students: Structural Relationships among Exercise, Mental Health Factors, School Satisfaction, and Happiness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, May.
    12. Liang Shen & Xiangli Gu & Tao Zhang & Joonyoung Lee, 2022. "Adolescents’ Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms: A Psychosocial Mechanism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-9, January.
    13. Sumaira Kayani & Tayyaba Kiyani & Saima Kayani & Tony Morris & Michele Biasutti & Jin Wang, 2021. "Physical Activity and Anxiety of Chinese University Students: Mediation of Self-System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
    14. Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez & Jerónimo J González-Bernal & Raúl Soto-Cámara & Josefa González-Santos & José Manuel Tánori-Tapia & Paula Rodríguez-Fernández & María Jiménez-Barrios & Sara Márquez & José, 2020. "Influence of a Physical Exercise Program in the Anxiety and Depression in Children with Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, June.
    15. Rini LESTARI & Maharani FAJAR, 2020. "Gratitude, Self-Esteem And Optimism In People With Physical Disabilities," Prizren Social Science Journal, SHIKS, vol. 4(2), pages 14-21, August.
    16. In-Whi Hwang & Ju-Pil Choe & Jeong-Hui Park & Jung-Min Lee, 2022. "Association between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Satisfaction with Sleep Fatigue Recovery and Smartphone Dependency among Korean Adolescents: An Age- and Gender-Matched Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    17. Xinxin Zhang & Wenfei Zhu & Sifan Kang & Longkun Qiu & Zijun Lu & Yuliang Sun, 2020. "Association between Physical Activity and Mood States of Children and Adolescents in Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Epidemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
    18. Rubén Trigueros & José M. Aguilar-Parra & Joaquín F. Álvarez & Jerónimo J. González-Bernal & Remedios López-Liria, 2019. "Emotion, Psychological Well-Being and Their Influence on Resilience. A Study with Semi-Professional Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    19. Anna Lisa Amodeo & Sabrina Antuoni & Manuela Claysset & Concetta Esposito, 2020. "Traditional Male Role Norms and Sexual Prejudice in Sport Organizations: A Focus on Italian Sport Directors and Coaches," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-12, November.
    20. Juan González-Hernández & Manuel Gómez-López & José Antonio Pérez-Turpin & Antonio Jesús Muñoz-Villena & Eliseo Andreu-Cabrera, 2019. "Perfectly Active Teenagers. When Does Physical Exercise Help Psychological Well-Being in Adolescents?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-16, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1100-:d:318465. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.