Brain activation patterns in the executive function of children and adolescents after an exercise intervention

Abstract

This study explored brain activation patterns in the executive function of children and adolescents following an exercise intervention. After computer retrieval of relevant studies, we independently screened the studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality. We used Ginger ALE 2.3 software to conduct activation likelihood estimation, then we discussed and calculated the activation cluster and activation probability of the brain regions of children and adolescents who completed an exercise intervention. After the exercise intervention, children and adolescents achieved five peak activation enhancement points (total volume = 2,070 mm3) and six peak activation reduction points (total volume = 1,352 mm3) in the process of completing executive function tasks. The results indicate that the improvement in executive function caused by an exercise intervention is the result of synergetic changes in multiple brain regions with increased and decreased activation.