The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotion
With increasing global attention on adolescent mental health and cognitive development, physical activity has emerged as a key factor in promoting all-round development. This study investigates the effects of moderate-intensity physical activity on adolescents’ social cognitive function, with a focu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2440178 |
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| author | An-Dong Zhang Peng-Fei Zheng Hao-Quan Sun |
| author_facet | An-Dong Zhang Peng-Fei Zheng Hao-Quan Sun |
| author_sort | An-Dong Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With increasing global attention on adolescent mental health and cognitive development, physical activity has emerged as a key factor in promoting all-round development. This study investigates the effects of moderate-intensity physical activity on adolescents’ social cognitive function, with a focus on the mediating role of emotional regulation. A 12-week intervention was conducted with 300 adolescents aged 12 to 18. Physical activity levels were objectively measured using accelerometers, social cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and emotional state was measured using the Emotional Regulation Scale (ERS). The results showed that moderate-intensity physical activity significantly improved social cognitive functions, particularly in social information processing and emotional understanding (p < 0.01). Emotional regulation played a key mediating role in this process, explaining 38% of the total effect (p < 0.001). Gender and BMI were also found to moderate this effect, with females and individuals with a normal BMI showing more significant improvements (p < 0.05). These findings support the integration of moderate physical activity into adolescents’ routines to enhance their cognitive, emotional, and social development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-29ad450d3e034d3e90c057c4eb81d933 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2331-186X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-29ad450d3e034d3e90c057c4eb81d9332024-12-19T08:43:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2025-12-0112110.1080/2331186X.2024.2440178The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotionAn-Dong Zhang0Peng-Fei Zheng1Hao-Quan Sun2Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSchool of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, ChinaFaculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaWith increasing global attention on adolescent mental health and cognitive development, physical activity has emerged as a key factor in promoting all-round development. This study investigates the effects of moderate-intensity physical activity on adolescents’ social cognitive function, with a focus on the mediating role of emotional regulation. A 12-week intervention was conducted with 300 adolescents aged 12 to 18. Physical activity levels were objectively measured using accelerometers, social cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and emotional state was measured using the Emotional Regulation Scale (ERS). The results showed that moderate-intensity physical activity significantly improved social cognitive functions, particularly in social information processing and emotional understanding (p < 0.01). Emotional regulation played a key mediating role in this process, explaining 38% of the total effect (p < 0.001). Gender and BMI were also found to moderate this effect, with females and individuals with a normal BMI showing more significant improvements (p < 0.05). These findings support the integration of moderate physical activity into adolescents’ routines to enhance their cognitive, emotional, and social development.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2440178Physical activitysocial cognitionteenagersemotional regulationEducational PsychologySchool Psychology |
| spellingShingle | An-Dong Zhang Peng-Fei Zheng Hao-Quan Sun The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotion Cogent Education Physical activity social cognition teenagers emotional regulation Educational Psychology School Psychology |
| title | The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotion |
| title_full | The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotion |
| title_fullStr | The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotion |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotion |
| title_short | The effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents: the mechanism of emotion |
| title_sort | effect of exercise on social cognitive function in adolescents the mechanism of emotion |
| topic | Physical activity social cognition teenagers emotional regulation Educational Psychology School Psychology |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2440178 |
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