Integrating Behavioral and Neuroelectric Evidence: Exercise-Induced Enhancement of Executive Functions in Children and Adolescents with Preterm Birth

Children and adolescents born preterm are at elevated risk for executive function (EF) difficulties and atypical brain development, yet exercise-based interventions in this group remain underexplored. This chapter reviews how acute and chronic exercise may support EF in preterm-born youth from both behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) perspectives. The developmental foundations and lifespan significance of EF are outlined, followed by consideration of the nature and neural correlates of EF impairments associated with preterm birth. Exercise-induced EF and ERP adaptations in typically developing children and adolescents are then synthesized and used as a comparative framework for interpreting emerging evidence in preterm-born populations and related neurodevelopmental conditions. Particular attention is given to exercise dose, modality, and cognitive engagement, as well as ERP components. The chapter provides a conceptual and empirical basis for designing developmentally sensitive, evidence-informed exercise interventions for this vulnerable population.