Effect Physical Activity Interventions on Cognitive and Physical Activity Outcomes in Preadolescents: A Meta-Analysis

• In Event: Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Topic - Education, Schooling

Abstract

There were 13.7 million cases childhood obesity in the United States (CDC, 2016). Regular physical activity has been recommended to reduce obesity. Some research has indicated that physical activity interventions result in improvements in is cognitive and motor outcomes (Chaddock-Heyman et al., 2014; Rasberry et al., 2011) while other studies report that physical activity interventions had no significant benefits on motor, cognitive, or academic outcomes (Ahamed et al., 20017, Bonvin et al., 2013; Salem et al. 2012). This meta-analysis will systematically examine the effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive and academic outcomes in preadolescents to address the conflicting results.

Furthermore, many initiatives around increasing physical activity levels in children or adolescents use the context of the classroom to deliver the intervention. Due to COVID-19, many schools transitioned to remote learning. It is important to compare the effectiveness of school-based and web-based physical activity interventions so the public can be informed of evidence-based strategies to maintain physical activity levels outside of the school setting.

The objectives of this meta-analysis are to evaluate the impact of physical activity interventions on cognitive and physical activity outcomes, compare school-based interventions and remote- or web-based interventions, compare the impact of these interventions on objective and subjective measures of physical activity level, and to compare the impact of physical activity interventions across the preadolescents.

Studies published between 2005-2021 will be identified through a systematic search of electronic databases (i.e. EBSCOhost, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and ProQuest) using search terms related to the key components of the meta-analysis: intervention setting, physical activity, outcomes, and study population. Specific search terms for each component are presented in Table 1. For a study to be included in this meta-analysis it must be an interventional study design, contain at least one physical activity outcome or one cognition outcome, involve participants 10-15 years of age, present original data, not focus on one specific population (e.g., overweight children), and publish results in English.

Data on physical activity intervention, cognitive and physical activity outcomes, and demographic characteristics will be compiled in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using JASP.
Model both fixed-effects model and random-effects models. A mixed-effects models will be run to examine how moderators influence estimate of the (average) true effect. Additionally, a forest plot, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias will be examined.

This meta-analysis will provide data related to the effectiveness of various web-based interventions that could be continued through remote or hybrid delivery. This study can serve as a guide for children and families as to the most effective ways to remain active during this pandemic.

At the date of abstract submission several stages of this meta-analysis have been completed. The systematic search of electronic databases is completed. Inclusion criteria has been applied to all articles retrieved from the search. The search for “grey” literature and data abstraction from eligible full articles is in progress. Data abstraction will be complete by October 30th and results will be analyzed in November. The final write up will be complete by December.

Authors

• Loni Parrish, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Alyson Chroust, East Tennessee State University
  Non-Presenting Author