RT Journal Article
T1 Association Between Health-Related Physical Fitness and Cognition in Preschoolers: MOVI-HIIT Study
A1 Visier Alfonso, María Eugenia
A1 Sánchez López, Mairena
A1 Bizzozero Peroni, Bruno
A1 Díez Fernández, Ana
A1 Ruiz Hermosa, Abel
A1 Martínez Vizcaíno, Vicente
AB Preschoolers with better health-related physical fitness (HRPF) have better cognitive and brain functioning. This study examined the associations between health-related physical fitness and cognitive domains in preschool children, including the independent role of fitness components, potential moderators, and links to low cognitive achievement. This was a cross-sectional study analyzing baseline data from a randomized controlled trial (MOVI-HIIT) including 522 preschoolers aged 3–5 years from 9 schools in Ciudad Real, Spain. Speed-agility, upper and lower body muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and balance were measured with the PREFIT battery. Cognition was measured using the Differential and General Aptitude Battery (numerical concepts and vocabulary), Flanker Task (inhibition), Dimensional Change Card Sort (cognitive flexibility), and Span of words (working memory); sex, age, socioeconomic status, and screen time were measured as covariates. All HRPF components were positively associated with all cognitive domains (r = 0.11–0.38; all p ≤ 0.050). ANCOVA models showed that children in higher categories of fitness components, except for lower body strength, had significantly better scores in numerical concepts, vocabulary, inhibition, and working memory. Cognitive flexibility was only associated with balance. Logistic regression models revealed that high levels of speed-agility, upper body strength, CRF, and balance were associated with reduced odds of low cognitive performance. HRPF was associated with cognitive performance in preschoolers, with variations by fitness and cognitive domains. Balance, CRF, and speed-agility emerged as key components associated with better cognitive outcomes. These findings support the relevance of HRPF in early cognitive development.
PB Wiley
SN 0905-7188
SN 1600-0838 (electrónico)
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28526
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28526
LA eng
NO Visier‐Alfonso, M. E., Sánchez‐López, M., Bizzozero‐Peroni, B., Díez‐Fernández, A., Ruiz‐Hermosa, A., & Martínez‐Vizcaíno, V. (2026). Association Between Health-Related Physical Fitness and Cognition in Preschoolers: MOVI-HIIT Study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 36(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70268
NO This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; ref.PID2019‐104160RB‐I00). The sponsor has no role in the research process. BBP is supported by a grant from the Universidad de Castilla‐La Mancha co‐financed by the European Social Fund (2024‐UNIVERS‐12849).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 13 jul 2026