Chain-mediation effect of cognitive flexibility and depression on the relationship between physical activity and insomnia in adolescents

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BACKGROUND: Physical activity has positive benefits in promoting the physical and mental health of adolescents. This study focuses on the importance of adolescent mental health issues, exploring the relationship between physical activity and insomnia in adolescents, as well as the mediating roles and pathways of cognitive flexibility and depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-reports to collect data on physical activity, insomnia, cognitive flexibility, and depression. A total of 501 valid questionnaires were collected from two middle schools in the western region of Hunan Province. RESULTS: Physical activity directly and significantly predicted insomnia negatively (β =-0.153, SE = 0.047, p < 0.01). However, the predictive effect of physical activity on insomnia was no longer significant in the indirect effect analysis (β =-0.053, SE = 0.041, p > 0.05). Serial mediation analyses identified significant indirect effects through cognitive flexibility and depression in sequence (β =-0.029, 95% CI [-0.053,-0.011]), accounting for 18.95% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS: The study strengthens evidence for the associations between adolescent physical activity, insomnia, cognitive flexibility and depression, demonstrating that the beneficial effects of physical activity on insomnia are sequentially mediated through cognitive flexibility and depression. Given the dual benefits of physical activity for both sleep quality and mental health, we recommend implementing targeted physical activity interventions for adolescents, with particular emphasis on activities designed to enhance cognitive flexibility.

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