The Effect of Physical Activity Interventions on Executive Function Among People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Chih Sung ◽  
Byungmo Ku ◽  
Willie Leung ◽  
Megan MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

scholarly journals Rapid Realist Review of School-Based Physical Activity Interventions in 7- to 11-Year-Old Children

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Defever ◽  
Michelle Jones
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
School Leadership ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Implementation Fidelity ◽  
Realist Review ◽  
School Level ◽  
School Settings ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Rapid Realist Review

Meta-analysis of physical activity interventions in school settings have revealed low efficacy and that there is a need to explore implementation fidelity. The aim of this rapid realist review was to determine, what physical activity interventions in school settings for children aged 7- to 11-years-old works, for whom, and in what circumstances. The realist synthesis was conducted following RAMESES guidelines. Relevant studies were identified following a systematic search process and data from 28 studies was extracted for evidence to form context-mechanism-outcome configurations that were clustered and refined. Using the five-level socioecological model, the program theories were classified into the levels of intrapersonal (child), interpersonal (teachers), institutional (program content, school administration, and school environment), community (home and neighborhood), and policy. The school level led to most context-mechanism-outcome configurations related to school leadership and policy, workforce structure, program characteristics, and school environment. At each level, we identified features of interventions, alongside implementation considerations that might work to promote efficacy and sustainability. The need to recognize the school environment as part of a complex system with multi-level interaction and influences was a key finding. In line with realist philosophy, the researchers encouraged primary research to confirm, refute, and refine the program theories presented.

School‐based physical activity interventions in rural and urban/suburban communities: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Pfledderer ◽  
Ryan D. Burns ◽  
Wonwoo Byun ◽  
Russell L. Carson ◽  
Gregory J. Welk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Suburban Communities ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
School Based ◽  
Rural And Urban

scholarly journals Children Involved in Team Sports Show Superior Executive Function Compared to Their Peers Involved in Self-Paced Sports

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 264
Author(s):  
Silke De Waelle ◽  
Felien Laureys ◽  
Matthieu Lenoir ◽  
Simon J. Bennett ◽  
Frederik J.A. Deconinck
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Developmental Period ◽  
Organized Sports ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Childhood Physical Activity ◽  
Comprehensive Test ◽  
Sports And Physical Activity

Children’s motor and cognitive functions develop rapidly during childhood. Physical activity and executive function are intricately linked during this important developmental period, with physical activity interventions consistently proving to benefit children’s executive function. However, it is less clear which type of physical activity shows the strongest associations with executive function in children. Therefore, this study compared executive function performance of children aged 8 to 12 that either participated in team sports or self-paced sports or were not involved in any kind of organized sports (non-athletes). Results demonstrate that children participating in team sports show superior executive function compared to children participating in self-paced sports and non-athletes. Importantly, children participating in self-paced sports do not outperform non-athletes when it comes to executive function. This study is the first to show that even at a very young age, team sports athletes outperform athletes from self-paced sports as well as non-athletes on a multifaceted and comprehensive test battery for executive function. Furthermore, our findings support the hypothesis that cognitively engaging physical activity, such as participation in team sports, might show stronger associations with executive functioning compared to other types of sports and physical activity.

scholarly journals Effect of workplace physical activity interventions on the cardio-metabolic health of working adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubina Mulchandani ◽  
Ambalam M. Chandrasekaran ◽  
Roopa Shivashankar ◽  
Dimple Kondal ◽  
Anurag Agrawal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Workplace Interventions ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Reduced Body ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

Abstract Background Adults in urban areas spend almost 77% of their waking time being inactive at workplaces, which leaves little time for physical activity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize evidence for the effect of workplace physical activity interventions on the cardio-metabolic health markers (body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose) among working adults. Methods All experimental studies up to March 2018, reporting cardio-metabolic worksite intervention outcomes among adult employees were identified from PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE CENTRAL, CINAHL and PsycINFO. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess bias in studies. All studies were assessed qualitatively and meta-analysis was done where possible. Forest plots were generated for pooled estimates of each study outcome. Results A total of 33 studies met the eligibility criteria and 24 were included in the meta-analysis. Multi-component workplace interventions significantly reduced body weight (16 studies; mean diff: − 2.61 kg, 95% CI: − 3.89 to − 1.33) BMI (19 studies, mean diff: − 0.42 kg/m2, 95% CI: − 0.69 to − 0.15) and waist circumference (13 studies; mean diff: − 1.92 cm, 95% CI: − 3.25 to − 0.60). Reduction in blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose was not statistically significant. Conclusions Workplace interventions significantly reduced body weight, BMI and waist circumference. Non-significant results for biochemical markers could be due to them being secondary outcomes in most studies. Intervention acceptability and adherence, follow-up duration and exploring non-RCT designs are factors that need attention in future research. Prospero registration number: CRD42018094436.

The effectiveness of physical activity interventions on communication and social functioning in autistic children and adolescents: A meta-analysis of controlled trials

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132097764
Author(s):  
John SY Chan ◽  
Kanfeng Deng ◽  
Jin H Yan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

Difficulty with communication and social functioning are two outstanding core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, and physical activity has long been suggested to improve autism spectrum disorder symptoms. In this meta-analysis of controlled trials, we examined the effects of physical activity interventions compared to controls on communication and social functioning in autistic children and adolescents. Included studies are published articles in English with autism spectrum disorder participants younger than 18 years. Literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and related databases through 6 May 2020. Quality of study was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool regarding randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, attrition, and selective reporting. We included 12 controlled trials ( N = 350) with communication outcomes ( k = 8) and/or social functioning outcomes ( k = 11). Results show small to moderate intervention benefits on communication (standardized mean change = 0.27, 95% confidence interval (0.06, 0.48)) and social functioning (standardized mean change = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (0.15, 0.63)), but the result for social functioning may be susceptible to publication bias. Better intervention outcomes are observed in younger participants, suggesting the importance of early participation. This study shows the benefits of physical activity interventions, and they could be considered a cost-effective means for autism spectrum disorder management in the future. Lay abstract Difficulty with communication and social functioning are two outstanding core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, while there is no efficacious pharmacologic treatment available to deal with them. Traditional behavioral therapies usually require specialist therapist and be conducted in specific settings, increasing burdens on families and individuals with autism. Physical activity has long been found to promote physical and mental well-beings, and it is more affordable and versatile than traditional therapies. There is preliminary support for the use of physical activity interventions to improve communication and social functioning in individuals with autism. In this study, we quantitatively aggregate data from existing controlled trials to provide an up-to-date inquiry into the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on communication and social functioning in autistic children and adolescents. We included 12 trials involving 350 participants (8 trials reported communication outcomes and 11 trials reported social functioning outcomes) and found small to moderate benefits on communication and social functioning. Further analyses showed that the benefit of physical activity interventions is greater in younger participants. Results of this study suggest that physical activity interventions are effective to improve communication and social functioning in autistic children and adolescents, and early participation in the interventions can be more beneficial. Given their affordability, versatility, and efficacy, physical activity interventions could be considered a cost-effective option for autism spectrum disorder management in the future.

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