Connection of executive functions and physical fitness in preschool children: review of studies

A review aimed at understanding the connection between executive functions and physical activity in preschool children is presented. Data from 20 studies conducted between 2006 and 2020 are presented. Summarizing the results of the work clarifies the notion of connection of large skills with the components of executive functions (working memory, inhibition control, cognitive flexibility) in preschool children. It has been shown that children who regularly attend sports activities differ in a positive way in terms of developing executive functions from their peers who do not have experience of systematic attendance of sports activities. Children with a high level of executive function are more likely to have sports systematically and for a long time at school age. Studies show that in order for sports activities to contribute effectively to the development of executive functions, it is important to take into account such factors as the level of stress of the child, emotional background, contact with the coach. A number of studies have shown that executive functions moderated the relationship between functional physical training and academic achievements (counting, reading, writing).