This study is the first to systematically review and quantify the effects of physical activity on brain structure and neurophysiological functioning in children. Electronic data bases were searched for relevant studies. Studies that met the following criteria were included: (1) used an RCT or cross-over design, (2) examined the effects of physical activity on brain structure and/or neurophysiological functioning, (3) included children (5–12 years old) (4) included a control group (RCTs) or control condition (cross-over trials). A total of 26 and 20 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively, representing and accompanying 973 and 782 unique children. Main analyses were separated for short-term and long-term physical activity and for effects on brain structure and neurophysiological functioning with a distinction between children from healthy and clinical populations. We found evidence for significant beneficial effects of long-term physical activity on neurophysiological functioning (d = 0.39, p < 0.001). In addition, short-term physical activity may induce changes in neurophysiological functioning (d = 0.32, p = 0.044), although this evidence showed limited robustness. No meta-analytic evidence was found for positive effects on brain structure. The results underline the importance of physical activity for brain development in children.

这项研究是第一个系统地审查和量化体育活动对儿童脑结构和神经生理功能的影响的研究。在电子数据库中进行了相关研究。符合以下标准的研究包括：（1）使用RCT或交叉设计，（2）检查身体活动对大脑结构和/或神经生理功能的影响，（3）包括5岁至12岁的儿童）（4）包括对照组（RCT）或对照组（交叉试验）。系统评价和荟萃分析分别包括26和20项研究，分别代表和伴随973和782名独特儿童。主要分析进行了短期和长期体育活动以及对脑结构和神经生理功能的影响的分析，并区分了健康人群和临床人群中的儿童。我们发现长期体育锻炼对神经生理功能有重大有益影响的证据（d＝ 0.39，p＜0.001）。此外，短期体育锻炼可能会引起神经生理功能的改变（d = 0.32，p = 0.044），尽管这一证据显示出有限的健壮性。没有荟萃分析证据表明对脑结构有积极作用。结果强调了体育锻炼对儿童大脑发育的重要性。