The effects of physical activity interventions on psychosocial outcomes in adolescents: A meta-analytic review

Abstract

Physical activity interventions are often implemented in the adolescent mental health care practice to prevent or treat psychosocial problems. To date, no systematic review of the effect of these physical activity interventions in adolescents has been conducted. In the current study, four multilevel meta-analyses were performed to assess the overall effect of physical activity interventions on externalizing problems, internalizing problems, self-concept, and academic achievement in adolescents. In addition, possible moderating factors were examined. In total, 57 studies reporting on 216 effect sizes were included, and the results showed significant small-to-moderate effects of physical activity interventions on externalizing problems (d=0.320), internalizing problems (d=0.316), self-concept (d=0.297), and academic achievement (d=0.367). Further, moderator analyses showed that outcome, study, sample, and intervention characteristics influenced the effects of physical activity interventions on psychosocial outcomes. Implications for theory and practice concerning the use of physical activity interventions in adolescent mental health care practice are discussed.

Screen-based sedentary behaviors, mental health, and social relationships among adolescents

“…Physical inactivity is well recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular health as well as mental health among adolescents 21,22 . However, sedentary behavior emerged in the area of human kinetics as distinct risk factor for cardiovascular health [23][24][25] .…”

Family, school and neighborhood factors moderating the relationship between physical activity and some aspects of mental health in adolescents

“…Firstly, the model was based on Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of development; secondly, it took into account two dimensions of participation in sports (informal vs. organized and individual vs. team); thirdly, it indicated physical, psychological, and social determinants. The fourth of the selected reviews by Spruit et al related solely to intervention studies [8]. The impact of various forms of physical activity on internalization problems, self-concept, and academic achievement was analyzed, confirming a correlation.…”

“…An advantage of this review is the analysis of errors in inference resulting from the tendency to not publish the results of studies which are inconvenient for the authors; i.e., those where no significant correlations are found. The Spruit et al's study [8] has some limitations that need to be mentioned. Many studies had small samples and did not always provide enough information to code all the moderators.…”

“…On the often emphasize its 2-way character. In the literature review by Spruit et al, a range of attributes of physical activity were identified which might affect mental well-being [8]. Physical activity leads to the release of endorphins, increased blood flow, and enhanced brain oxygenation.…”

The Holistic Athletic Healthcare Model: Addressing the Developmental, Social, and Cultural Needs of Collegiate Athletes

“…There are several benefits of sports participation for the individual athlete, such as greater frequency of physical activity, fewer depressive symptoms, less suicidality, less tobacco and illicit drug use, and greater self-efficacy (Spruit, Assink, van Vugt, van der Put, & Stams, 2016;Taliaferro, Rienzo, & Donovan, 2010). Sports participation is also associated with greater involvement in certain health-risk behaviors such as disordered eating, aggressive behavior, and interpersonal violence (de Oliveira Coelho, de Silva Gomes, Ribeiro, & de Abreu Soares, 2014;Sønderlund et al, 2014).…”