Chronic effects of school physical activity on cognitive performance in youngs: a systematic review protocol

Recent systematic reviews point out the positive acute effects of physical activity on executive functions in children and adolescents, but the chronic effects in this age group are still uncertain. This study aims to describe a systematic review with meta-analysis protocol to elucidate the chronic effects of physical activity at school on the executive functions and attention of children and adolescents, considering the effect-moderators and examining different interventions in the school environment. A systematic search will be carried out for studies published in the PUBMED, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases. Studies that meet the following predefined criteria (PICOS criteria) will be included: 1) studies conducted with healthy children and adolescents (6-18 years-old), 2) studies with physical activity interventions in school, 3) studies conducted with a control group, and 4) studies with cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibitory control and attention outcomes. Target outcomes will be extracted as pre-and post-test values. Intervention time, frequencies, intensity, volume, session time, and intervention type will be extracted for meta-regression analysis. For methodological quality will be using the tool for the assessment of study quality and reporting in exercise training studies. Pooled effect estimates will be calculated from the scores of changes between baseline and end of interventions. The effect size will be expressed as Cohens’ and presented as standardized mean differences and calculations will be performed using random-effects models. Statistical heterogeneity will be evaluated by Cochran’s Q statistic and the I² inconsistency test. The meta-analyses will be performed using OpenMeta[Analyst].