Effect of physical activity on anxiety for children and adolescents:a systematic review of systematic reviews
YANG Tongnian
REN Jie
XIAO Hui
Abstract：Objective To evaluate the effect of physical activity interventions on anxiety in children and adolescents(aged four to 19 years),as well as the potential impact of modalities,dosages and population factors on outcomes.
Methods Following PRISMA and PRIOR guidelines,systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2019 and 2025 that examined the relationship between physical activity and anxiety in children and adolescents were retrieved.The methodological quality of the included literature was assessed using AMSTAR 2,and the evidence was synthesized through a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Results A total of seven articles were included,among which four were of high quality,two were of moderate quality,and one was of low quality.Regular physical activity was found to reduce anxiety levels in children and adoles-cents,with a moderate effect size(SMD=-0.39 to-0.54).Resistance training and low-intensity exercise may be more effective.Evidence was insufficient and contradictory for optimal physical activity dosage.
Conclusion Physical activity is a promising,safe and accessible non-pharmacological strategy that can be used for the prevention and auxiliary treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents.
Keywords：childrenadolescentsanxietyphysical activitymental healthsystematic review of systematic reviews
Publication Date：2025-08-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-09-05(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 883-888 )