The multiple mediation impact of adolescents' physical fitness and cognitive perceptions on their objective measures – The Cogni-Action Project

To establish whether physical fitness and cognitive self-perceptions act as mediators in the link between global fitness and cognitive performance measured objectively in adolescents. We also compared differences across sex. A total of 1296 adolescents (50 % girls) from grades 5 to 8 (ages 10–14) participated in this cross-sectional study. The ALPHA-fitness test battery assessed physical fitness, comprising cardiorespiratory, speed-agility, and muscular fitness components. We used the 1–5-point International Fitness Scale for physical fitness self-perception, and the 1–10 scale for cognitive performance self-perception. Objective cognitive performance was assessed using a neurocognitive battery consisting of eight tasks. Using principal component analysis, these tasks were grouped into three domains: attention, working memory, and problem solving. We examined three serial mediation models adjusted for sex, standardized body mass index, maturation, and school vulnerability index. Physical fitness and cognitive self-perceptions mediated the effects on attention (B = .0027, CI = .0011 to .0047), memory (B = .0025; CI = .0003 to .0055 and B = .0035; CI = .0009 to .0063), and problem-solving (B = −.0137; CI = −.0231 to −.0052 and B = .0072; CI = .0043 to .0106). By sex, boys showed mediation in all domains, while girls only showed mediation in problem-solving. Adolescents' perceptions play a crucial and positive mediating role in linking objective measures of physical fitness to cognitive performance outcomes, particularly when self-perceptions of physical fitness and cognition are considered together. Therefore, educating families and school/health environments about the importance of adolescent perceptions, while fostering self-awareness and reinforcing their capabilities, is essential. •The study examines how self-perceptions of physical fitness and cognition mediate the link between objective variables.•Findings indicate that, in the attention domain, mediation occurs with both mediators for the total sample.•In the memory domain, mediation is observed with self-perception of memory alone and with both mediators.•For problem-solving task, mediation occurs with self-perception of physical fitness and both mediators.•Sex-specific results show boys' behavior aligns with the sample, while girls show significant effects only in problem-solving.