Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a systematic review of intervention studies
that investigated the effects of physical activity on multiple domains of executive
functions, attention and academic performance in preadolescent children (6–12 years
of age). In addition, a systematic quantification of the effects of physical activity
on these domains is provided.
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
Searches of electronic databases and examining relevant reviews between 2000 and April
2017 resulted in 31 intervention studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Four subdomains
of executive functions (inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility and planning),
three subdomains of attention (selective, divided and sustained) and three subdomains
of academic performance (mathematics, spelling and reading) were distinguished. Effects
for different study designs (acute physical activity or longitudinal physical activity
programs), type of physical activity (aerobic or cognitively engaging) and duration
of intervention were examined separately.
Results
Acute physical activity has a positive effect on attention (g = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.77; 6 studies), while longitudinal physical activity programs has a positive
effect on executive functions (g = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.39; 12 studies), attention (g = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.56, 1.24; 1 study) and academic performance (g = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.49; 3 studies). The effects did depend on the subdomain.
Conclusions
Positive effects were found for physical activity on executive functions, attention
and academic performance in preadolescent children. Largest effects are expected for
interventions that aim for continuous regular physical activity over several weeks.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 10, 2017
Accepted:
September 26,
2017
Received in revised form:
September 18,
2017
Received:
February 13,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
