This novel meta-analysis estimated the population effect of exercise training on anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents, and determined whether effects varied based on features of the exercise stimulus and participant characteristics. Across 39 effects derived from 22 trials, exercise training significantly reduced anxiety by a potentially clinically meaningful moderate-magnitude effect of 0.71SD. Larger magnitude reductions were found for moderate- and high-intensities compared to low-intensity exercise training. Though included studies were of variable quality and reporting of the exercise stimulus, particularly, was poor, these findings support exercise training at recommended moderate-to-high intensities reduces anxiety among children and adolescents.
Ligon G, Crombie KM, Herring MP, O’Connor PJ, Fedewa MV (2025). The effect of exercise training on anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. DOI: 10.1111/sms.70137. (IF: 3.8; Sport Sciences; R=14/133; Decile 2)
Matthew Herring is a Professor at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the University of Limerick.
Contact: Email matthew.herring@ul.ie X @mph8
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