RT journal article
T1 Acute effect of physical activity on academic outcomes in school-aged youth: A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis
A1 Muntaner-Mas, Adria
A1 Morales Rojas, Javier Salvador
A1 Martínez de Quel, Óscar
A1 Lubans, David R.
A1 García Hermoso, Antonio
A2 Didáctica de la Educación FísicaPlástica y Musical
K1 academic achievement
K1 active breaks
K1 classroom behavior
K1 motor activity
K1 physically active learning
AB Background: There has been an increase in the number of studies examining the effect of acute and chronic physical activity on academic outcomes in children and adolescents in the last two decades. We aimed to systematically determine the acute effects of physical activity on academic outcomes in school-aged youth and to examine possible moderators. Methods: We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO databases (from inception to 11th January 2023) for studies assessing the acute effects of physical activity on academic performance-related outcomes in school-aged youth. A univariate and multivariate meta-analysis was conducted based on a random-effects model with restricted maximum likelihood used to pool the academic outcomes results (Hedge's g). Results: We included 11 articles (803 children and adolescents [range: 6–16 years]) in the systematic review. Overall, acute physical activity increased academic outcomes (Hedge's g = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20–0.50). Multivariate meta-analyses revealed that physical activity increased academic performance in mathematics (Hedge's g = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.16–0.42) and language (Hedge's g = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09–0.47). Only behavior change techniques (Hedge's g = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.18–0.90, p < 0.001) played a significant role in this relationship. Conclusions: A single bout of physical activity can improve academic outcomes in school-aged youth, which may serve as a complementary tool for the educational field. However, the observed heterogeneity in the results indicates that we should interpret the findings obtained with caution.
PB Wiley
SN 0905-7188
YR 2023
FD 2023-08-25
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/31296
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/31296
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 10-nov-2026