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Effects of acute bouts of physical activity on children’s attention: a systematic review of the literature

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The aim of this review was to describe the effects of acute bouts of physical activity on attention levels of children. A systematic review was performed of English studies from searches in PubMed, Sportdiscus and PsycINFO from 1990 to (May) 2014 according to the PRISMA statement. Only prospective studies of children aged 4-18 years old were included, detailing acute effects of physical activity bouts with the primary outcome attention.<br/><br/>One reviewer extracted data on the study characteristics. Two reviewers conducted the methodological quality assessment independently using a criteria checklist, which was based on the Downs and Black checklist for non-randomised studies.<br/><br/>Overall the evidence is thin and inconclusive. The methodological differences in study sample (size and age), study design and measurement of attention make it difficult to compare results.<br/><br/>There is weak evidence for the effect of acute bouts of physical activity on attention. More experimental studies with a comparable methodology, especially in the school setting, are needed to strengthen this evidence.

Reference Janssen, M., Toussaint, H. M., van Mechelen, W., & Verhagen, E. ALM. (2014). Effects of acute bouts of physical activity on children’s attention: a systematic review of the literature. SpringerPlus, 3, Article 410. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-3-410
Published by  Urban Vitality 1 January 2014

Publication date

Jan 2014

Author(s)

Huub M Toussaint
Willem van Mechelen
Evert ALM Verhagen

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