Smarter Moves: Leveraging Physical Education to Nurture Executive Function Development in Students

Executive function (EF)—which includes inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility—is essential for success in both school and everyday life. Although schools play a key role in shaping EF, physical education (PE) is often overlooked as a context for cognitive development. This article explores how PE can be intentionally designed to nurture EF through evidence-informed pedagogical strategies. Drawing on current exercise-cognition research, the article outlines the neurophysiological mechanisms linking physical activity to EF, with an emphasis on the moderating roles of complexity, intensity, and continuity. To bridge theory and practice, an adaptation of the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) model is proposed that explicitly targets core EF domains. By embedding cognitive challenges into physically engaging games, TGfU offers a practical framework for educators aiming to nurture both movement proficiency and EF.