title: Does exercise habit strength moderate the relationship between emotional distress and short-term memory in Malaysian primary school children?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the moderating effects of exercise habit strength on the relationship between emotional distress and short-term memory in primary school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 165 primary school students (10-12 years old). Participants completed measures of emotional distress, exercise habit strength, and the Digit Span Test. Mid-year exam results were used as an indicator of academic performance. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of SEM revealed an acceptable fit for the hypothesised model. Exercise habit was positively associated with short-term memory, and better short-term memory was associated with better academic performance. However, although an inverse relationship was found between emotional distress and short-term memory, a positive association was found between exercise habit strength and emotional distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that exercise habit is positively associated with cognitive ability and mediates the negative effect of distress.
authors.affiliation: a Sport Science Unit, School of Medical Sciences , Universiti Sains Malaysia , Kubang Kerian , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nurul Ain
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Zainol
authors.forename: Hairul Anuar
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Hashim
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D012574:Schools; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: academic performance; children; exercise habit strength; short-term memory; stress