Mingyang Zhang

Dr. Mingyang Zhang

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 March 2023 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MZMingyang Zhang
Mingyang Zhang
HGHanna Garnier
Hanna Garnier
GQGuoping Qian
Guoping Qian
SLShunchang Li
Shunchang Li
Object: The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the effects of physical exercise interventions on physical fitness and executive functions in children. Methods: Six-year-old children participated in the study and were randomly divided into physical exercise group (PE group, n = 43) and control group (C group, n = 46). The children in the PE group participated in a physical exercise program for 45 min daily, four days a week for 11 weeks. The children in the C group continued with their usual routines. Then, all the children were tested before and after the experiment for body composition (height, weight, BMI), physical fitness (20-m shuttle run test, standing long jump test, grip strength test, 4 × 10 m shuttle run test and sit and reach tests), and executive functions test (animal go/no-go task, working memory span task, simple reaction test and flexible item selection task) before and after the 11-week period. Results: The 11 weeks of physical exercise did not significantly affect the body composition of the children (p > 0.05). The physical fitness and executive functions test results showed that 11 weeks of physical exercise interventions improves physical fitness (cardiopulmonary fitness, muscle strength, speed sensitivity and flexibility quality) and executive functions parameters (inhibitory control, working memory, the reaction time, and cognitive flexibility) in children (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Conclusion: 11 weeks of physical exercise can improve the physical fitness and executive functions of six-year-old children.