Dr. Sofia Anzeneder,

Zehnder, C., Schmidt, M., Affolter, P., Anzeneder, S., & Benzing, V. (2026). Together we move, together we improve? Investigating the role of social interaction in physical activity to enhance executive functions. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 30, Article 100747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100747

Pesce, C., Mavilidi, M. F., Vazou, S., Owen, K. B., Benzing, V., Anzeneder, S., Álvarez-Bueno, C., Robinson, K., & Lubans, D. R. (2025). Risk of undermining the cognitive benefits of physical activity by overcorrecting for risk of bias: Reply to Román-Caballero (2025). Psychological Bulletin, 151(11), 1389–1394. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000505

Mavilidi, M. F., Vazou, S., Lubans, D. R., Robinson, K., Woods, A. J., Benzing, V., Anzeneder, S., Owen, K. B., Álvarez-Bueno, C., Wade, L., Burley, J., Thomas, G., Okely, A. D., & Pesce, C. (2025). How physical activity context relates to cognition across the lifespan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 151(5), 544–579. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000478

Dubach, J., Anzeneder, S., Tempelmann, S., & Cacchione, T. (2025). Effects of school-based immersive virtual reality interventions on learning in the K–6 range: A systematic literature review. Computers & Education: X Reality, 7, Article 100117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cexr.2025.100117

Mavilidi, M. F., Vazou, S., Lubans, D. R., Robinson, K., Woods, A. J., Benzing, V., Anzeneder, S., Owen, K. B., Álvarez-Bueno, C., Wade, L., Burley, J., Thomas, G., Okely, A. D., & Pesce, C. (2025). How physical activity context relates to cognition across the lifespan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 151(5), 544–579. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000478

Zehnder, C., Gasser, M., Anzeneder, S., Martin-Niedecken, A. L., Pesce, C., Schmidt, M., & Benzing, V. (2024). Together towards better executive functions? Effects of acute cognitively demanding physical activity and social interaction on inhibition. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 27, 100640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100640

Anzeneder, S., Schmid, J., Zehnder, C., Koch, L., Martin-Niedecken, A. L., Schmidt, M., & Benzing, V. (2024). Acute cognitively challenging exercise as “cognitive booster” for children: Positive feedback matters! Mental Health and Physical Activity, 27, 100621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100621

Anzeneder, S., Zehnder, C., Schmid, J., Martin-Niedecken, A. L., Schmidt, M., & Benzing, V. (2023). Dose-response relation between the duration of a cognitively challenging bout of physical exercise and children’s cognition. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 33(8), 1439-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14370

Anzeneder, S., Zehnder, C., Martin-Niedecken, A.L., Schmidt, M., & Benzing, V. (2023). Acute exercise and children’s cognitive functioning: What is the optimal dose of cognitive challenge? Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 66, 102404.

Anzeneder, S. & Benzing, V. (2019). Macht sportliche Betätigung schlau?! Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie, 26, 1, 36.

Benzing, V., Siegwart, V., Anzeneder, S., Spitzhüttl, J., Grotzer, M., Roebers, C., Steinlin, M., Leibundgut, K., Everts, R., & Schmidt, M. (2022). The mediational role of executive functions for the relationship between motor ability and academic performance in pediatric cancer survivors. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 60, 102160.

Pesce, C., Vazou, S., Benzing, V., Álvarez-Bueno, C., Anzeneder, S., Mavilidi, M., Leone, L., & Schmidt, M. (2021). Effects of chronic physical activity on cognition across the lifespan: A systematic meta-review of randomized controlled trials and realist synthesis of contextualized mechanisms. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-39.

Schmidt, M., Egger, F., Anzeneder, S., & Benzing, V. (2021). Acute cognitively challenging physical activity to promote children’s cognition. In R. Bailey, J.P. Agans, J. Côté, A. Daly-Smith, P.D. Tomporowski (Eds.). Physical activity and sport during the first ten years of life (pp.141-155). London: Routledge.

Anzeneder, S., Benzing, V., & Schmidt, M. (Mai 2023). Designed acute physical activity to benefit primary school children’s cognition: Effects of cognitive challenge, bout duration, and positive feedback. 55. Jahrestagung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Sportpsychologie (asp). Stuttgart. 18.-20.05.2023.

Anzeneder, S., Benzing, V., & Schmidt, M. (Februar 2023). Designed acute physical activity to benefit primary school children’s cognition: Effects of cognitive challenge, bout duration, and positive affect. 14. Annual meeting of the swiss society of sport science (sgs). Bern. 15-16.02.2023.

Anzeneder, S., Benzing, V., & Schmidt, M. (Juni 2022). Effects of acute exergaming on primary school children’s executive control: Do cognitive challenge and activity duration matter? 54. Jahrestagung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Sportpsychologie (asp). Münster. 16.-16.06.2022.

Anzeneder, S., Benzing, V., & Schmidt, M. (März 2022). Schulbezogene Bewegungsaktivitäten und kognitive Leistung – wie kognitiv beanspruchend soll die körperliche Aktivität sein. 25. Sportwissenschaftlicher Hochschultag der dvs. Online. 29.-31.03.2022.

Anzeneder, S., Benzing, V., & Schmidt, M. (Februar 2022). School-based physical activity and cognition – what is the optimal level of cognitive challenge to foster children’s inhibition. 13. Annual meeting of the swiss society of sport science (sgs). Online. 09-10.02.2020.

Anzeneder, S., Benzing, V., & Schmidt, M. (Februar 2020). Physical and mental health outcomes of physical exercise training in young cancer inpatients and survivors – a systematic review of RCTs. 12. Annual meeting of the swiss society of sport science (sgs). Basel. 06-07.02.2020.