The associations between muscle strength and executive function among Chinese adolescents

Abstract

Executive function, as a core cognitive function of the brain, holds significant importance for adolescents’ academic performance and future achievements. However, there has been relatively little research on this topic in the past. This study may provide theoretical support for the promotion and intervention of executive function in Chinese adolescents. A stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to conduct a cross-sectional assessment of grip strength, standing long jump, executive function, and related covariates among 10,145 adolescents aged 13–18 years across five distinct regions of China. In the stratified analyses, higher MSI was associated with progressively lower odds of deficits in executive function in mid-to-late adolescence, and the inverse association between MSI and working-memory insufficiency was stronger in girls(OR = 0.802, 95% CI: 0.763–0.843, P = 0.006) than boys(OR = 0.888, 95% CI: 0.792–0.996, P = 0.006). After controlling for relevant covariates, each 1-SD increase in MSI was associated with decreases of 0.254 ms, 41.185 ms and 20.311 ms in the reaction times for inhibition, working memory, and shifting, respectively (all P < 0.01). Muscle strength in Chinese adolescents correlates with working memory and shifting abilities but shows no associationwith inhibition. These findings suggest that muscle strength is associated with specific components of executive function in Chinese adolescents; because the data are cross-sectional, longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to determine whether promoting muscle strength can enhance executive function.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Scientific Reports, 2026 · DOI ↗