Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SED), including screen time, and sleep constitute 24-h “movement behaviors” and may influence development of children’s cognitive function and academic skills. However, the existing longitudinal evidence in young children is scarce and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between these movement behaviors and change in self-regulation, executive function, vocabulary, and numeracy in preschool children. METHODS: 561 children (53% boys; aged 3–4 years at baseline) from the Active Learning Norwegian Preschool(er)s study provided data on PA and SED (ActiGraph GT3X +), screen time (parent-report), and sleep (parent-report) at baseline, and at least one outcome variable: self-regulation (Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task), inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility, vocabulary, or numeracy (Early Years Toolbox) at baseline and 18-month follow-up. We analyzed longitudinal associations between movement behaviors at baseline and change in cognitive and academic outcomes between baseline and follow-up using multivariate pattern analysis and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: We found no significant associations in the primary analyses. Subgroup analyses showed significant associations in girls for change in inhibition (R(2) = 5.40%) and self-regulation (R(2) = 4.22%). For inhibition, associations were negative for SED (0–99 cpm) and positive for all PA intensities (≥ 100 counts per minute). For self-regulation, associations were positive for SED and negative for all PA intensities. Using linear regression, we found no significant associations for separate explanatory variables or for compliance with all movement behavior guidelines with cognitive or academic outcomes. CONCLUSION: Generally, young children’s movement behaviors were not associated with change in self-regulation, executive function, vocabulary, or numeracy during preschool years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee and the Norwegian Centre for Research Data (reference number: 248220), and registered at clinicaltrials.gov August 7, 2019, with the identifier NCT04048967. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24605-z.