Meta-analysis of a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity intervention for academic achievement in children and adolescents

Background

To analyze the intervention effect of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on the academic performance of children and adolescents.

Methods

Experimental studies on the effects of MVPA on the academic performance of children and adolescents were comprehensively searched in Web of Science, China Knowledge Network and other databases, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of the literature, and the Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.3.

Results

1) A total of 11 high-quality literature were included, including 4552 subjects; 2) MVPA had a positive effect on the academic performance of children and adolescents (SMD=0.24; 95 %CI:0.13, 0.35, P<0.0001), with differences in the effect of different subjects, and the mathematics has the best effect (SMD=0.23; 95 %CI:0.11, 0.34, P≤0.0001), followed by reading (SMD=0.24; 95 % CI:0.02, 0.46, P<0.05), and the comprehensive achievement intervention effect was not significant (SMD=0.33; 95 % CI:-0.15, 0.80, P=0.18); 3) MVPA has the greatest impact on children aged 9-11 years (SMD=0.30; 95 %CI:0.06, 0.54, P<0.05); 4) The optimal dose of intervention for MVPA is a long cycle of 30-60 minutes per session(SMD=0.34; 95 %CI:0.12, 0.56, P<0.01), 2 times per week(SMD=0.28; 95 %CI:0.2, 0.35, P<0.001); 5) The effect of literature publication bias detection was positive.

Conclusion

1) MVPA has a moderate effect on promoting academic achievement in children and adolescents, with younger age groups often benefiting more than older adolescents due to age-related cognitive plasticity; 2) MVPA has limited intervention effect on the performance of other subjects, which leads to the unsatisfactory effect of the intervention on the comprehensive performance; 3) Attention should be paid to the fine control of the intensity of the physical activity to guarantee individual MVPA participation to promote the academic achievement of children and adolescents; 4) Long-term participation, 30-60 minutes per session, 2-3 times per week of MVPA has been shown to be an effective intervention dose to enhance academic performance.