Journals Information
International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 11(6), pp. 1253 - 1265
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2023.110609
Reprint (PDF) (647Kb)
The Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis
Gaohui Zhu , Kai Chen , Chen Ling , Peiting Zhao , Liya Guo *
School of Physical Education, Southwest University, China
ABSTRACT
This study is designed to explore the effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive function in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. A systematic search was performed in databases, from inception to January 23, 2023, for relevant literature on the impact of physical activity or exercise interventions on cognitive function in individuals with intellectual disabilities. A total of 2,393 articles were retrieved, and after screening, 13 articles comprising 16 studies were included in the final analysis. Review Manager 5.4 software was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies, calculate the overall effect size, perform heterogeneity tests, and conduct sensitivity analyses. Physical activity has a positive impact on overall cognitive function in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (SMD=0.76, 95%CI=[0.29, 1.23], P=0.002). It also demonstrated positive effects on memory updating (SMD=0.83, 95%CI=[0.51, 1.15], P<0.00001), attentional focus (SMD=1.30, 95%CI=[0.45, 2.15], P=0.003), and attentional allocation (SMD=-0.81, 95%CI=[-1.14, -0.49], P<0.00001). However, the effects of physical activity on attentional switching(SMD=1.00, 95%CI=[0.02, 1.97], P=0.05), attentional span(SMD=0.95, 95%CI=[-0.00, 1.89], P=0.05), visual reaction time (SMD=-1.08, 95%CI=[-2.50, 0.33], P=0.13), and auditory reaction time (SMD=-0.56, 95%CI=[-1.80, -0.68], P=0.37) did not reach statistical significance when compared to the control group. Physical activity can effectively improve cognitive function in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. It has significant intervention effects on overall cognitive ability, memory updating, attentional focus, and attentional allocation. The effects on attentional switching, span, visual and auditory reaction time, were improved but insignificant. The intervention methods, duration, and severity of intellectual disabilities may contribute to the heterogeneity observed among the studies.
KEYWORDS
Intellectual Disabilities, Physical Activity, Cognitive Function, Executive Function
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Gaohui Zhu , Kai Chen , Chen Ling , Peiting Zhao , Liya Guo , "The Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 11, No. 6, pp. 1253 - 1265, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2023.110609.
(b). APA Format:
Gaohui Zhu , Kai Chen , Chen Ling , Peiting Zhao , Liya Guo (2023). The Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 11(6), 1253 - 1265. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2023.110609.