Effects of Physical Activity Interventions on Body Composition in Korean Students With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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Jeong-Hwan Jeong1, Dong-Hyun Kim2
1Academic Affairs Office, Pyongwon Middle School, Wonju, Gangwon, Republic of Korea.
Background:
This meta-analysis examined the effects of physical activity interventions on body composition among students with intellectual disabilities in Korea and whether intervention characteristics explained differences in effects.
Methods:
A total of 21 studies yielding 76 effect sizes were synthesized using a multilevel random-effects meta-analysis with a correlated and hierarchical effects model and CR2 robust variance estimation.
Results:
Physical activity interventions produced a significant small-to-moderate positive effect on body composition (Hedges' g = 0.403, 95% CI = [0.209-0.597], p < 0.001), with significant heterogeneity. Categorical and continuous moderators were nonsignificant. Sensitivity analyses supported the positive effect, although the RCT-specific estimate was less precise and heterogeneous. GRADE certainty was low for both RCT and non-randomized evidence.
Conclusions:
Physical activity appears beneficial for body composition, but the low certainty of evidence and lack of significant moderators preclude identification of a consistently superior intervention profile. Further rigorous research is needed to clarify optimal intervention characteristics.