Meta-analysis of association between 24-hour movement behaviours and social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in youth

Background: Although the independent association between sleep, sedentary behaviour, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in youth is well established, no studies have quantitatively synthesised the association between 24-hour movement behaviour compositions with these outcomes.

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to determine the association between 24-hour movement behaviour compositions and social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in youth.

Method: A systematic literature search was conducted of five electronic databases using combinations of keywords for 24-hour movement behaviours, social-emotion and cognitive development, and children and youth. Effect sizes were calculated as the standardised absolute change in outcomes for a relative change in 24-hour movement behaviour composition. A random effect meta-analysis with a robust variance estimator was used to analyse the data.

Results: Overall, 14 studies were identified and included in the meta-analyses. Results demonstrated that spending more time engaged in MVPA (t = 2.39, p = .041) and less time engaged in LPA (t = -2.92, p = .017) relative to other movement behaviours was favourably associated with social-emotional outcomes. Interestingly, spending more time sedentary (t = 3.21, p = .012) and less time engaged in LPA (t = -4.94, p = .001) relative to other movement behaviours was favourably associated with cognition.

Conclusion: Twenty-four-hour movement behaviour compositions are related with social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in youth.

Practical implications: Movement behaviour guidelines for youths should focus on recommending engaging in MVPA, getting sufficient sleep, and engaging in cognitively engaging sedentary behaviours to promote social-emotional health and cognitive development in children. There is no support for the benefits of engaging in LPA.

Funding: MB, GT, KF, MO, & SG are funded by the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI), which is co-funded by The University of Queensland and Health and Wellbeing Queensland.