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Background: Evaluation stress can impair inhibitory control, limiting the ability of children to perform cognitively. However, evidence on protective factors is lacking as stress-induced cognitive impairments are poorly understood. High physical activity has been related to better inhibitory control and has the potential to buffer the response to a stressor. We investigated the association of physical activity and stress-induced changes in inhibitory control as well as its underlying cognitive control processes (i.e., conflict monitoring and resolution). Method: Participants (10 to 13 y) with either low (N = 55) or high moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (N = 55) completed the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C) and a control task in a randomized order. During both conditions, salivary cortisol was collected. Additionally, a computerized Stroop task was administered before and after the experimental conditions. The N200 and positive slow wave (PSW) components of event-related potentials elicited by the Stroop task were recorded using electroencephalography. Results: In comparison to the control task, the TSST-C elicited a pre-to post-test decrease of accuracy on incompatible trials. Path-analyses further revealed that this decrease was related to low physical activity and a reduced PSW amplitude. However, both the N200 and PSW amplitudes did not mediate the relation between physical activity groups and performance on the Stroop task. Conclusion: In children, evaluation stress decreases inhibitory control partly due to a reduced effectiveness of conflict resolution processes. Only children with high physical activity maintain inhibitory control after facing the stressor. However, this protective effect cannot be attributed to changes in conflict monitoring and resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbal short-term and long-term memory are crucial neuropsychological functions involved in core cognitive abilities. They constitute vital components of subjective well-being and academic achievement. To date, there is limited research on the association between regular physical activity and memory abilities during young adulthood. The Individual Alpha Peak Frequency (IAPF) contributes to various cognitive abilities and also appears to be sensitive to physical activity. Consequently, the IAPF has the potential to underlie the association between physical activity and verbal memory. We examined the direct relation of physical activity and verbal memory, and the potential indirect relation via IAPF in young adults. Regular physical activity was assessed via accelerometry on seven consecutive days in 115 participants (N=115, 48% female) aged 18-35 years (M=24.1, SD=3.8). In addition, verbal memory performance was assessed using an immediate and delayed free-recall task. Brain activity during rest was recorded with EEG, and IAPF was extracted for mediation analyses. Path analysis revealed pronounced sex differences in the association between physical activity, IAPF, and verbal memory performance. Exclusively in female participants, higher vigorous physical activity levels were associated with better recall performance. In contrast, no association of physical activity and memory was found in male participants. However, being more physically active was related to a higher IAPF exclusively in male participants. Physical activity shows differential associations between IAPF and verbal memory in male and female participants. However, the lack of a mediating role of IAPF suggests that this neurophysiological marker cannot explain these specific associations in young adults., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.)