Revue internationale de psychologie scolaire et cognitive
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Physical Activity, Body Composition and Resting Cortical Activity in Preschool Children

Völgyi E, Rezaie R, Hare ME, Tylavsky FA and Papanicolaou AC

In this study, we explored the relationship between physical activity, body composition and cortical function in a cohort of preschool children. All participants underwent resting magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measure of direct neuronal activity, and estimates of physical activity and body composition were obtained using accelerometer and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively. In contrast to previous studies in adults, we found no association between measures of resting neuronal activity and body composition or body mass index (BMI) percentile. However, time spent performing moderate- (r=0.905, p<0.0001), moderate-vigorous (r=0.886, p<0.0001) physical activity and overall activity counts (r=0.889, p<0.0001) were significantly correlated with increased power in the alpha band (8-12 Hz) in left and right central brain regions. These results are suggestive of a complex relationship between physical activity and resting brain function, believed to underlie the organization of sensorimotor and higher cognitive functions, critical to later academic success.