The Effects of Cardiopulmonary Fitness on Executive Functioning or Academic Performance in Students from Early Childhood to Adolescence? A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular fitness has been proposed as a key factor influencing executive functioning and academic performance during childhood and adolescence. However, the extent and consistency of this relationship remain unclear across diverse populations and educational contexts. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether cardiovascular fitness, particularly measured through VO2max, is consistently associated with improvements in executive function and academic performance among students from early childhood to adolescence. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and ProQuest Central was conducted up to 15 November 2022. Studies were included if they examined correlations between VO2max and cognitive or academic outcomes in students from preschool to high school. Methodological quality was assessed using the MINORS checklist. Results: Out of 271 identified studies, 12 met all inclusion criteria. Evidence suggests that higher VO2max is generally associated with improved executive function domains such as attention, working memory, and inhibitory control, as well as academic performance indicators including mathematics and reading scores. Neurophysiological studies also indicate links between cardiovascular fitness and brain structure/function. However, the strength and specificity of these associations vary across studies due to methodological differences, limited sample diversity, and inconsistent control for confounders. Conclusions: Cardiovascular fitness appears to have a positive, albeit complex, relationship with cognitive function and academic performance in youth. Future research should adopt longitudinal and experimental designs to clarify causal pathways and consider moderating factors such as sex, age, and psychosocial variables.