Testing a causal model of the relationship between physical exercise and cognition during childhood: A longitudinal study

The causal relationship between regular physical exercise and cognition during childhood seems unquestionable, based on the systematic reviews and meta-analyses published to date. However, there are also studies that question these claims, showing that the evidence is not as strong as it would seem. A recent study carried out by our research group has shown that, once corrected for relevant moderators and publication bias, the effect of exercise on cognition (in healthy people of all ages) provided by randomized controlled intervention studies is practically 0. A Bayesian analysis reveals that the data available to date from intervention studies do not provide evidence either for or against the existence of the effect. The present project is based on the rationale that intervention studies may not be adequate to capture such a causal relationship, if it exists, and proposes instead to test a causal model to be evaluated by means of a longitudinal study. This causal model takes into account both variables that could mediate the relationship between physical exercise and cognition during childhood, moderating variables, as well as confounding variables and colliders. We hope therefore to contribute to the knowledge about whether regular physical exercise during childhood really provides benefits beyond physical health.