Effects of Resistance Training on Academic Outcomes in School-Aged Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Katie Robinson; Nicholas Riley; Katherine Owen; Ryan Drew; Myrto F Mavilidi; Charles H Hillman; Avery D Faigenbaum; Antonio Garcia-Hermoso; David Revalds Lubans

doi:10.1007/s40279-023-01881-6

Effects of Resistance Training on Academic Outcomes in School-Aged Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sports Med. 2023 Nov;53(11):2095-2109. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01881-6. Epub 2023 Jul 19.

Authors

Katie Robinson^{1

2}, Nicholas Riley^{1

2}, Katherine Owen³, Ryan Drew^{1

4}, Myrto F Mavilidi^{5

6}, Charles H Hillman^{7

8}, Avery D Faigenbaum⁹, Antonio Garcia-Hermoso¹⁰, David Revalds Lubans^{11

12}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Active Living and Learning, College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
² Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
³ Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁴ School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
⁵ School of Education/Early Start, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Keiraville, Australia.
⁷ Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
⁸ Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
⁹ Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, 08628, USA.
¹⁰ Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
¹¹ Centre for Active Living and Learning, College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
¹² Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: The primary aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of resistance training on academic outcomes in school-aged youth.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of six electronic databases (CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and EMBASE) with no date restrictions. Studies were eligible if they: (a) included school-aged youth (5-18 years), and (b) examined the effect of resistance training on academic outcomes (i.e., cognitive function, academic achievement, and/or on-task behaviour in the classroom). Risk of bias was assessed using the appropriate Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools, funnel plots and Egger's regression asymmetry tests. A structural equation modelling approach was used to conduct the meta-analysis.

Results: Fifty-three studies were included in our systematic review. Participation in resistance training (ten studies with 53 effect sizes) had a small positive effect on the overall cognitive, academic and on-task behaviours in school-aged youth (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05-0.32). Resistance training was more effective (SMD 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.42) than concurrent training, i.e., the combination of resistance training and aerobic training (SMD 0.11, 95% CI - 0.05-0.28). An additional 43 studies (including 211 effect sizes) examined the association between muscular fitness and cognition or academic achievement, also yielding a positive relationship (SMD 0.13, 95% CI 0.10-0.16).

Conclusion: This review provides preliminary evidence that resistance training may improve cognitive function, academic performance, and on-task behaviours in school-aged youth.

Prospero registration: CRD42020175695.

Publication types

Systematic Review

Grants and funding

G19011491/Hunter Medical Research Institute