Meta-analysis on the effects of moderate-intensity exercise intervention on executive functioning in children

ObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of moderate-intensity exercise intervention in children and summarized the optimal exercise intervention program. MethodsFive significant databases, namely, Web of Science, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, were searched, and the literature was screened strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed using Stata 15.1 software. ResultsThere were 25 studies from 22 articles, with a total of 2118 subjects included in the results. According to the meta-analysis, exercise intervention effectively improved children's working memory [SMD = -1.05, 95% CI (-1.26, -0.84)] and cognitive flexibility [SMD = -0.86, 95% CI (-1.04, -0.69)], with a minor improvement in inhibitory control [SMD = -0.55, 95% CI (-0.68, -0.42)]. Conclusiona) Improvements in children's working memory and cognitive flexibility by moderate-intensity exercise interventions reached large effect sizes, and improvements in inhibitory control obtained moderate effect sizes. b) Better improvement in working memory for children aged 10 to 12 years than for children aged 6 to 9 years and better cognitive flexibility for children aged 6 to 9 years than for children aged 10 to 12 years. c) Exercise intervention programs lasting 8 to 12 weeks, 3 to 4 times/week, and 30 min/time are most effective in improving executive function in children.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effect of moderate-intensity exercise intervention in children and summarized the optimal exercise intervention program. Through searching five significant databases and screening and analyzing the literature, it was found that moderate-intensity exercise intervention can effectively improve children's working memory and cognitive flexibility, with a minor improvement in inhibitory control. It is recommended to conduct exercise intervention programs lasting 8 to 12 weeks, 3 to 4 times/week, and 30 min/time to most effectively improve executive function in children.