Co-benefits of physical activity in school-aged children: an umbrella review and meta-analysis

Oral

Abstract Overview

Background: While the positive impact of physical activity on the physical health of children and adolescents is well-established, its potential benefits for educational outcomes and psychological wellbeing remain less explored.
Purpose: This umbrella review examines the evidence concerning the relationships between physical activity and educational achievement, cognition, education-related behaviours, and psychological wellbeing in school-aged youth.
Methods: A thorough search of six electronic databases identified systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the association between physical activity interventions and various educational and psychological wellbeing outcomes. Effect sizes from meta-analyses were aggregated, and an umbrella meta-analysis was conducted.
Results: Among the 50 studies included, 16 incorporated a meta-analysis. Overall, physical activity exhibited positive associations with enhanced academic achievement and cognitive outcomes, with pooled effect size estimates of 0.23 (95% confidence intervals: 0.09-0.38) for academic achievement and 0.28 (0.13-0.37) for cognitive outcomes. Behavioural outcomes demonstrated a pooled effect size of 0.40 (-0.04-0.84), while psychological wellbeing yielded an effect size of 0.00 (-0.60-0.58). However, narrative reports across 19 systematic reviews indicated positive associations between physical activity and classroom behaviour, school engagement, and psychological wellbeing.
Conclusion: This review confirms the important role physical activity has on improved academic achievement and cognition. It emphasises the necessity for using consistent measurement of education-related behaviours, and psychological wellbeing outcomes.
Practical Implications: Schools should recognise the dual benefits of physical activity on educational outcomes, prioritising opportunities to enhance physical activity during the school day. By highlighting the educational advantages of physical activity, researchers and policymakers may foster increased support for physical activity interventions within schools.

Funding No funding to declare.

Additional Authors

Name: Binh Nguyen
Affiliation: University of Sydney
Presenting Author: no
Name: Katherine Owen
Affiliation: University of Sydney
Presenting Author: no
Name: Ding Ding
Affiliation: University of Sydney
Presenting Author: no
Name: Louisa Peralta
Affiliation: University of Sydney
Presenting Author: no
Name: Bronwyn McGill
Affiliation: University of Sydney
Presenting Author: no

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Information

Study Type: Measurement or surveillance
Subtheme: Co-benefits/ non-health benefits/ SDGs
Population Group: Children, Adolescents
Setting: School

Submitting Author

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Lucy Corbett
PhD Candidate
University of Sydney
Australia

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