Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez1,2, Alejandra Mena-Molina3, Lucia V Torres-Lopez3, Jairo H Migueles3, María Rodriguez-Ayllon3, David R Lubans4, Francisco B Ortega3,5. 1. Institute for Innovation & Sustainable Development in Food Chain (IS-FOOD), Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain. cristina.cadenas@unavarra.es. 2. PROFITH 'PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity' Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. cristina.cadenas@unavarra.es. 3. PROFITH 'PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity' Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. 4. Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle, Australia. 5. Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physical fitness is an important marker of current and future health status, yet the association between physical fitness and indicators of mental health in youth has not been systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to systematically review and meta-analyze the association between physical fitness components (i.e. cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, speed-agility, flexibility and fitness composite) and mental health indicators (i.e. psychological well-being and psychological ill-being) in preschoolers, children and adolescents. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from database inception to May 2020. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies (cross-sectional, longitudinal and intervention designs) were included if they measured at least one physical fitness component and one mental health indicator in healthy youth (2-18 years). RESULTS: A total of 58 unique studies (52 cross-sectional, 4 longitudinal and 4 intervention studies) met all eligibility criteria and were included. There was a significant positive overall association between physical fitness and mental health in children and adolescents (pooled r = 0.206, p < 0.001). We found suggestive evidence of moderation by age group, fitness components and socioeconomic status (all p < 0.08). No relevant studies focusing on preschoolers were identified. Evidence based on longitudinal and intervention studies was limited. CONCLUSION: We observed a small to medium sized positive association between physical fitness and overall mental health in youth. However, as the majority of studies were cross-sectional, additional longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to provide evidence of causation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42017080005.
BACKGROUND: Physical fitness is an important marker of current and future health status, yet the association between physical fitness and indicators of mental health in youth has not been systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to systematically review and meta-analyze the association between physical fitness components (i.e. cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, speed-agility, flexibility and fitness composite) and mental health indicators (i.e. psychological well-being and psychological ill-being) in preschoolers, children and adolescents. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from database inception to May 2020. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies (cross-sectional, longitudinal and intervention designs) were included if they measured at least one physical fitness component and one mental health indicator in healthy youth (2-18 years). RESULTS: A total of 58 unique studies (52 cross-sectional, 4 longitudinal and 4 intervention studies) met all eligibility criteria and were included. There was a significant positive overall association between physical fitness and mental health in children and adolescents (pooled r = 0.206, p < 0.001). We found suggestive evidence of moderation by age group, fitness components and socioeconomic status (all p < 0.08). No relevant studies focusing on preschoolers were identified. Evidence based on longitudinal and intervention studies was limited. CONCLUSION: We observed a small to medium sized positive association between physical fitness and overall mental health in youth. However, as the majority of studies were cross-sectional, additional longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to provide evidence of causation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42017080005.
Authors: Mark J Babic; Philip J Morgan; Ronald C Plotnikoff; Chris Lonsdale; Rhiannon L White; David R Lubans Journal: Sports Med Date: 2014-11 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: David Lubans; Justin Richards; Charles Hillman; Guy Faulkner; Mark Beauchamp; Michael Nilsson; Paul Kelly; Jordan Smith; Lauren Raine; Stuart Biddle Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2016-08-19 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Armando Cocca; Martin Niedermeier; Vera Prünster; Katharina Wirnitzer; Clemens Drenowatz; Klaus Greier; Karin Labek; Gerhard Ruedl Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-06 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Justin J Lang; Kai Zhang; César Agostinis-Sobrinho; Lars Bo Andersen; Laura Basterfield; Daniel Berglind; Dylan O Blain; Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez; Christine Cameron; Valerie Carson; Rachel C Colley; Tamás Csányi; Avery D Faigenbaum; Antonio García-Hermoso; Thayse Natacha Q F Gomes; Aidan Gribbon; Ian Janssen; Gregor Jurak; Mónika Kaj; Tetsuhiro Kidokoro; Kirstin N Lane; Yang Liu; Marie Löf; David R Lubans; Costan G Magnussen; Taru Manyanga; Ryan McGrath; Jorge Mota; Tim Olds; Vincent O Onywera; Francisco B Ortega; Adewale L Oyeyemi; Stephanie A Prince; Robinson Ramírez-Vélez; Karen C Roberts; Lukáš Rubín; Jennifer Servais; Diego Augusto Santos Silva; Danilo R Silva; Jordan J Smith; Yi Song; Gareth Stratton; Brian W Timmons; Grant R Tomkinson; Mark S Tremblay; Stephen H S Wong; Brooklyn J Fraser Journal: Sports Med Date: 2022-08-24 Impact factor: 11.928