The aim of this study was to assess the association of leisure physical activity on cognitive performance in healthy children. It was performed a cross-sectional study in which 100 children (10.8 ± 0.6 years of age) were divided into two groups as follows: "Insufficiently actives" (IA) and "Actives" (A). The cognitive performance was assessed by Memory and Learning of Figure Test, Stroop Test, Trail Making Test. It was observed a significant difference between groups for an incidental memory task from Memory and Learning of Figure Test (IA: 6.6 ± 1.4 versus A: 7.1 ± 1.2; p = 0.03). However, no significant differences were noted for any other variables. These findings reveal a positive influence of leisure physical activity on the incidental memory, but not long-term memory, mental flexibility, and inhibitory control in healthy children. Future studies with larger samples and direct measures of physical activity levels must be conducted to confirm these results.
Sport; Central nervous system; Childhood
