Pandemic-related reduction in physical activity was associated with worsened executive functioning in younger adults, with reversal upon increased activity¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · theoretical r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? An observational study around the COVID-19 pandemic found that pandemic-related reduction in regular physical activity was associated with worsening of inhibitory control and working memory in younger adults, and the post-lockdown increase was associated with improvements. → Herold 2025

Evidence¶

Herold 2025¶

Herold, F., Ludyga, S., Mavilidi, M. F., Benzing, V., Vazou, S., Tomporowski, P. D., & Pesce, C. (2025). The Other Side of the Coin – A Call to Investigate the Influence of Reduced Levels of Physical Activity on Children's Cognition. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10031-5

q2 · i? · theoretical · r3

The commentary reports, citing Macedonia et al., an observational pandemic study in younger adults in which "the pandemic-related reduction in regular physical activity levels was associated with worsening of executive functioning", and the post-lockdown increase was associated with performance improvements.

"an observational study conducted around the Coronavirus Disease 19 pandemic showed that in younger adults the pandemic-related reduction in regular physical activity levels was associated with worsening of executive functioning (i.e., inhibitory control, and working memory; Macedonia et al., 2024)"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

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• School-aged children show reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior during the summer break across multiple countries