The relationship between physical activity and trait anxiety in college students: The mediating role of executive function

Abstract

ObjectivesAimed to analyze the mediating effect of executive function between physical activity level and trait anxiety in college students.MethodsThe International Physical Activity Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Stroop task, 1-back task, and More-odd shifting task were used to analyze 248 college students.ResultsTrait anxiety were significantly correlated with shifting function (r = 0.182, P = 0.004) and inhibition function (r = 0.163, P = 0.010) and not with working memory (r = 0.056, P = 0.385). Vigorous physical activity (VPA) was most highly correlated with inhibition function (Beta = −0.144, P = 0.024) and working memory (Beta = −0.208, P = 0.001), and light physical activity (LPA) was most highly correlated with shifting function (Beta = −0.211, P = 0.001). Physical activity had a 72.31% association with trait anxiety (B = −0.195), with 11.79% mediated by inhibition function (B = −0.023) and 15.90% by shifting function (B = −0.031).ConclusionCollege students' physical activity promotes both inhibition and shifting functions, which in turn affect trait anxiety. VPA had a direct effect, while the effect of moderate physical activity (MPA) and LPA was completely mediated exclusively through executive functions, and the mediating effect of shifting function was the highest. It is recommended that college workers should motivate students with high trait anxiety to engage in more VPA and pay attention to changes in their inhibition and shifting functions.

Free-living physical activity and executive function: A multi-study analysis of age groups and times of day

“…Our findings implicate that free-living PA is of high relevance for EF, which, again, is relevant for individuals to engage in health behaviours ( Dong et al., 2022 ). EF are closely linked to individuals’ mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms), and PA could be a promising solution to increase EF and therefore improve diverse mental health aspects ( Ren et al., 2023 ).…”

“…One possible factor that mediates the link between PA and different mental health aspects (e.g., depressive symptoms) is executive function (EF; Dong et al., 2022 ): a set of higher order cognitive functions enabling individuals to direct and regulate their cognitions, emotions, and actions in a goal-oriented manner ( Barkley, 2001 ). EF deficits can be observed for example in individuals with depression, and PA presents a promising nonpharmacological intervention to increase EF in this population ( Ren et al., 2023 ).…”

Exploring the relationship across autonomous motivation, affects, and anxiety among gym practitioners during the second COVID-19 lockdown

“…Similarly, in a representative sample of college students, the results of our participants for anxiety was also lower 51 . On the other hand, physical activity has a direct effect on anxiety, in another sample of studies of physical activity participants 52 . Regarding affects, the participants of our study show higher values of both affects comparatively the participants with youth aged 53 .…”

Canonical correlation analysis of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students and their relationship with physical activity

“…A large number of previous studies have explored the mechanism of action, finding that physical activity can effectively regulate the concentration of neurotrophic factors, glucocorticoid levels and effect on neuroimmune system, induce hippocampal neurogenesis of the central nervous system, effectively stimulate the central nervous system, and then prevent and relieve depression and anxiety symptoms 16 , 31 . In addition, the improvement of self-efficacy 32 , social support 33 and executive function 34 caused by physical activity also have a positive impact on the mental health of college students.…”