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Effects of physical activity on executive functions, attention and academic performance in preadolescent children: a
Johannes W de Greeff1, Roel J Bosker2, Jaap Oosterlaan3
1University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, The Netherlands.
Insights
Regular physical activity boosts executive functions, attention, and academic performance in children aged 6-12. Longitudinal programs show the most significant benefits for cognitive skills and learning outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Executive functions, attention, and academic performance are crucial for children's development.
- Preadolescent children (6-12 years) are in a critical developmental stage.
- The impact of physical activity on these domains requires systematic investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze intervention studies on physical activity's effects.
- To investigate impacts on executive functions, attention, and academic performance in preadolescent children.
- To quantify the effects of physical activity on these cognitive and academic domains.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 intervention studies (2000-2017).
- Analysis of four executive function subdomains, three attention subdomains, and three academic performance subdomains.
- Examination of effects based on study design (acute vs. longitudinal), activity type (aerobic vs. cognitive), and intervention duration.
Main Results:
- Acute physical activity positively impacts attention (g=0.43).
- Longitudinal physical activity programs positively affect executive functions (g=0.24), attention (g=0.90), and academic performance (g=0.26).
- Observed effects varied across different subdomains.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity demonstrates positive effects on executive functions, attention, and academic performance in preadolescent children.
- Interventions promoting continuous, regular physical activity over several weeks are expected to yield the largest benefits.
- Regular physical activity is a viable strategy to enhance cognitive and academic outcomes in children.
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.
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