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Review
. 2014 Sep 29:8:747.
doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00747. eCollection 2014.

Cognitive control in the self-regulation of physical activity and sedentary behavior

Jude Buckley  1 , Jason D Cohen  2 , Arthur F Kramer  3 , Edward McAuley  3 , Sean P Mullen  3
Affiliations
Review

Cognitive control in the self-regulation of physical activity and sedentary behavior

Jude Buckley et al. Front Hum Neurosci. .

Abstract

Cognitive control of physical activity and sedentary behavior is receiving increased attention in the neuroscientific and behavioral medicine literature as a means of better understanding and improving the self-regulation of physical activity. Enhancing individuals' cognitive control capacities may provide a means to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior. First, this paper reviews emerging evidence of the antecedence of cognitive control abilities in successful self-regulation of physical activity, and in precipitating self-regulation failure that predisposes to sedentary behavior. We then highlight the brain networks that may underpin the cognitive control and self-regulation of physical activity, including the default mode network, prefrontal cortical networks and brain regions and pathways associated with reward. We then discuss research on cognitive training interventions that document improved cognitive control and that suggest promise of influencing physical activity regulation. Key cognitive training components likely to be the most effective at improving self-regulation are also highlighted. The review concludes with suggestions for future research.

Keywords: cognitive control; executive functioning; physical activity; sedentary behavior; self-regulation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Brain networks associated with cognitive control.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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