Abstract
Prevailing executive function (EF) measures, although central to both theory and practice, are largely grounded in abstract, top-down models that overlook the critical role of motor processes in real-world cognitive control. To address this gap, this thesis examines how effector-specific body engagement impacts EF performance and advances a more integrated and ecologically valid framework for understanding cognitive control. Structured as a hybrid thesis, it comprises seven chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the relationship between EF and motor processes, outlining the theoretical background, research gaps, aims, and structure of the thesis.
Chapter 2 presents a scoping review of research on how different body movements affect inhibitory control tasks (Simon, Stroop, and Flanker), identifying major gaps in the current literature. Of the 68 identified studies using non-standard response effectors, only nine compared effector types, and these were conducted primarily in seated conditions. Moreover, these studies primarily focused on the classic overall interference effect, neglecting the distinct contributions of left versus right limbs to conflict resolution. Together, the findings underscore the need to incorporate diverse physical response types into EF tasks and to expand the performance indicators assessed, including sequential conflict adaptation and block-wise changes in interference.
Building on these gaps, Chapters 3 and 4 report two experiments using the same methodology but different physical responses. In Experiment 1, participants performed the Simon task using finger presses and leg taps. By applying a novel analytical approach, four distinct types of Simon effects and their corresponding sequential conflict adaptations were identified for both effectors, with leg taps showing the greatest reduction in interference across blocks. In Experiment 2, using the same methodology, participants completed tasks with finger presses and a two-handed stick; distinct Simon effects and sequential conflict adaptations were again observed, but no practice-related reduction in interference occurred.
Chapter 5 presents a published theoretical paper that aims to develop a framework for understanding the interaction between physical engagement and EF performance. It situates cognitive–motor adaptations within the broader literature on cognitive enhancement and discusses them from an evolutionary perspective. The chapter introduces the Evolutionary Cognitive Enhancement (ECE) framework, advocating movement-based EF training to stimulate and strengthen cognitive–motor circuits. Chapter 6 extends the ECE framework to propose interventions that engage whole-body movements and enhance adaptive problem-solving in modern urban environments. It highlights how contemporary sedentary lifestyles neglect the essential need to engage EF–motor integration and how adapting environmental conditions can promote natural, movement-based cognitive stimulation.
Chapter 7 synthesizes findings from the scoping review and empirical studies, discussing them in relation to the ECE framework to provide a comprehensive understanding of motor processes’ contributions to EF. It guides the design of assessments, targeted training, and the refinement of relevant theories across multiple domains, including developmental research and clinical practice. Overall, this thesis identifies a critical gap in the EF literature, introduces a novel methodology through the development of experimental tasks and analytical approaches that expand the range of physical response types and performance indicators, and presents a theoretical framework for understanding the adaptive potential of EF–motor interactions.