The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying executive function deficits in very preterm born children still remain unclear. Moreover, evidence on factors that can be modified by behavior and exert an influence on these deficits is lacking. The present case-control study examined the association between very preterm birth and neurophysiological indices of response inhibition (i.e. the N200-P300 complex) as well as the potential mediation of this association by aspects of physical fitness. 54 children born very preterm completed a submaximal cycling ergometer test and a motor skill test battery. Event-related potentials elicited by a Go/NoGo task were recorded using electroencephalography. Cases were then matched to full-term children (age: 11 ± 0.7 y). A higher error rate on NoGo trials was found in children born very preterm compared to those born full-term. Path-analyses further revealed that very preterm birth was associated with decreased NoGo P300 amplitude. Motor skills, but not aerobic fitness, fully mediated this association. In early adolescence, very preterm birth is associated with less effective recruitment of attentional resources for stimulus evaluation processes. The improvement of motor skills rather than cardiorespiratory fitness appears promising for reducing this specific impairment in cognitive control.

极早产儿执行功能缺陷的神经生理机制仍不清楚。此外，缺乏可以通过行为改变并对这些缺陷产生影响的因素的证据。本病例对照研究检查了极早产与反应抑制的神经生理指标（即 N200-P300 复合物）之间的关联，以及这种关联在身体健康方面的潜在中介作用。54 名早产儿完成了次极量自行车测力计测试和运动技能测试。使用脑电图记录由 Go/NoGo 任务引发的事件相关电位。然后将病例与足月儿童（年龄：11 ± 0.7 岁）进行匹配。与足月出生的儿童相比，早产儿在 NoGo 试验中的错误率更高。路径分析进一步显示，极早产与 NoGo P300 振幅降低有关。运动技能，但不是有氧健身，完全调节了这种关联。在青春期早期，极早产与用于刺激评估过程的注意力资源的募集效率较低有关。运动技能而不是心肺健康的改​​善似乎有希望减少这种认知控制方面的特定障碍。极早产与用于刺激评估过程的注意力资源的募集效率较低有关。运动技能而不是心肺健康的改​​善似乎有希望减少这种认知控制方面的特定障碍。极早产与用于刺激评估过程的注意力资源的募集效率较低有关。运动技能而不是心肺健康的改​​善似乎有希望减少这种认知控制方面的特定障碍。