The relationship of physical fitness and activity with cognitive functions in children

Objective of the study – determine the relationships between individual components of physical fitness, total physical fitness, activity and cognitive functions. The problem of the study – the decreasing physical fitness of pre-school age children, which is due to decreasing physical activity, on the other hand, is related to lower cognitive abilities. Research methods: 1. Physical activity evaluation, questionnaire survey. 2. Physical fitness assessment using a set of tests for children aged 5 – 12 (Fjortoft et al., 2011). 3. Evaluation of cognitive functions according to the “Bourdon – Anfimov” methodology (Eismont, Kaida, Bakunova, 2001). Aims of the study: 1. To evaluate and compare the physical fitness with cognitive functions of pre-school age children by gender. 2. To determine the relationship between physical activity of pre-school age children and cognitive functions. 3. To assess the relationship between the physical fitness of the pre-school age children and the cognitive functions. Hypothesis of study – we assume that the higher physical fitness of children is associated with greater physical activity and better cognitive function. The results and conclusions: 1. Pre-school boys have better endurance, speed and greed than girls. However, girls' cognitive functions were better than boys. 2. Cognitive functions of pre-school age children do not link with physical activity. 3. Cognitive functions of pre-school age children are associated with higher rates of muscle strength and higher endurance