The bidirectional modulation of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive performance and brain electrical activity in adolescents with smartphone addiction

An experimental study using EEG power spectrum analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID22074509
AuthorsTongtong Che (0000-0003-4993-0586, Qingdao University), Yanni Long (Qingdao University), Shuangshuang Zhang (0000-0002-8735-4412, Qingdao University), Xianglong Jiang (Qingdao University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1720007-1720007
Publication date2026-02-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1720007
PMID41822928
OpenAlexW7131432127
LanguageEN
References cited61

Objective Smartphone addiction has become a significant mental health issue among adolescents, affecting their cognitive functions and social adaptability. Although acute aerobic exercise has been shown to improve cognitive performance, its effects on adolescents with smartphone addiction remain unclear. This study aims to explore the impact of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive performance and brain electrical activity in adolescents with smartphone addiction and to elucidate its underlying neural mechanisms. Methods A randomized controlled experimental design was adopted, with 40 male adolescents with smartphone addiction recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (acute aerobic exercise) or the control group (neutral reading condition). Cognitive performance was assessed using the Stroop task and the 2-back task, while EEG was used to record brain electrical activity, focusing on changes in the power of α, β, and θ waves. Results The experimental group showed significant improvements in accuracy ( p < 0.001, d = −2.67) and reaction time ( p < 0.001, d = 3.17) in the Stroop task, and in accuracy ( p < 0.001, d = −3.26) and reaction time ( p < 0.001, d = 3.29) in the 2-back task. EEG results revealed that acute aerobic exercise significantly increased the power of α and β waves in the prefrontal, central, and parietal regions ( p < 0.001), while θ wave power in the prefrontal and central regions significantly decreased ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Acute aerobic exercise significantly enhanced the cognitive performance of adolescents with smartphone addiction, particularly in attention and working memory tasks. EEG analysis indicated that exercise optimized the cognitive control network by enhancing α and β wave power and suppressing θ wave power. These findings provide empirical support for exercise interventions to improve cognitive deficits in adolescents with smartphone addiction

Addiction · Aerobic exercise · Brain activity and meditation · Cognition · Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance · Electroencephalography · Elementary cognitive task · Stroop effect · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Impact of Technology on Adolescents

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