Systematic review of physical activity and cognitive development in early childhood
Journal of science and medicine in sport 19(7): 573-578
Article 2015 English
Authors
VC
Valerie Carson
SH
Stephen Hunter
NK
Nicholas Kuzik
Abstract
1 min read
Objectives
To comprehensively review all observational and experimental studies examining the relationship between physical activity and cognitive development during early childhood (birth to 5 years).
Design
Systematic review.
Methods
Electronic databases were searched in July, 2014. No study design, date, or language limits were imposed on the search. Included studies had to be published, peer reviewed articles that satisfied the a priori determined population (apparently healthy children aged birth to 5 years), intervention (duration, intensity, frequency, or patterns of physical activity), comparator (various durations, intensity, or patterns of physical activity), and outcome (cognitive development) study criteria. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed in December 2014.
Results
A total of seven studies, representing 414 participants from five different countries met the inclusion criteria, including two observational and five experimental studies. Six studies found increased or higher duration/frequency of physical activity had statistically significant (p
<0.05) beneficial effects on at least one cognitive development outcome, including 67% of the outcomes assessed in the executive function domain and 60% in the language domain. No study found that increased or higher duration/frequency of physical activity had statistically significant detrimental effects on cognitive development. Six of the seven studies were rated weak quality with a high risk of bias.
Conclusions
This review provides some preliminary evidence that physical activity may have beneficial effects on cognitive development during early childhood. Given the shortage of the information and the weak quality of available evidence, future research is needed to strengthen the evidence base in this area.
Valerie Carson, Eun‐Young Lee, Lyndel Hewitt, Cally Jennings, Stephen Hunter, Nicholas Kuzik, Jodie A. Stearns, Stephanie Powley Unrau, Veronica J. Poitras, Casey Gray, Kristi B. Adamo, Ian Janssen, Anthony D. Okely, John C. Spence, Brian W. Timmons, Margaret Sampson, Mark S. Tremblay
Brian W. Timmons, Allana G. LeBlanc, Valerie Carson, Sarah Connor Gorber, Carrie Dillman, Ian Janssen, Michelle E. Kho, John C. Spence, Jodie A. Stearns, Mark S. Tremblay
Jean‐Philippe Chaput, Casey Gray, Veronica J. Poitras, Valerie Carson, Reut Gruber, Catherine S. Birken, Joanna E. MacLean, Salomé Aubert, Margaret Sampson, Mark S. Tremblay
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