Multi-component motor-cognition physical activity model to improve executive function and physical intelligence in primary school students

Introduction: Cognitively engaging physical activity is increasingly recognized as a promising approach for supporting both motor competence and executive function during late childhood. Objective: This study aimed to develop and examine the temporal changes associated with a Multi-Component Motor–Cognition Physical Activity (MPA) Model designed to enhance Physical Intelligence Quotient (PIQ) and Executive Function (EF) in primary school students. Methodology: A one-group repeated measures design was employed with 40 children (aged 10–12) participating in an eight-week school-based intervention integrating yoga, rhythmic activities, resistance exercises, jogging, and culturally grounded Thai folk plays. Assessments occurred at baseline, mid-intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention (Week 8). PIQ was evaluated via the MOBAK battery, while EF was assessed through performance-based neurocognitive tasks (TMT-A/B, Flanker, and DFT). Analysis included repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons and partial eta squared (ηp²) for estimating within-subject effect sizes. Results: Findings indicated statistically significant improvements across all PIQ and EF indicators over time (p < .05). Post-intervention scores were consistently superior to baseline and mid-intervention values across both motor competence and executive function measures. Reductions in completion and reaction times, alongside increased design fluency and motor competence, reflected systematic performance improvements with medium-to-large effects across the intervention period. Conclusions: Participation in a cognitively engaging MPA model was associated with concurrent improvements in motor competence and executive function. Although causal comparisons with alternative approaches cannot be established, the findings support the feasibility of integrated motor–cognitive models and provide a preliminary empirical foundation for future controlled trials.