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Visible Learning™
Visible Learning MetaX
Version 1.4 – Updated February 2026

Exercise interventions

Overview

  • Influence: Exercise interventions
  • Domain: Curricula
  • Sub-Domain: Other curricula programs
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Likely to have positive impact
  • Influence Definition: Exercise interventions are designed to increase students' physical activity levels, aiming to improve their physical health, mental well-being, cognitive function, and academic performance.

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 14
  • Number of studies: 521
  • Number of students: 94,308
  • Number of effects: 766
  • Weighted mean effect size: 0.43
  • Robustness index: 4

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Alvarez-Bueno, Pesce, Cavero-Redondo, Sanchez-Lopez, Martinez-Hortelano, & Martinez-Vizcaino Physical activity on executive functioning 2017 Physical activity on executive functioning 36 NA 36 0.21
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Alvarez-Bueno, Pesce, Cavero-Redondo, Sanchez-Lopez, Martinez-Hortelano, & Martinez-Vizcaino The effect of physical activity interventions on children's cognition and metacognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis 2017 Physical activity on achievement 26 10,205 26 0.18
European Physical Education Review Dudley & Burden What effect on learning does increasing the proportion of curriculum time allocated to physical education have? A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2019 Increasing time on Physical Education 6 6,351 6 0.14
Journal of Sports Sciences Haverkamp, Wiersma, Vertessen, van Ewijk, Oosterlaan, & Hartman Effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. 2020 Physical activity interventions 71 5,941 71 0.34
PLoS ONE Bedard, St John, Bremer, Graham, & Cairney A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of physically active classrooms on outcomes in school age children. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. educational and enjoyment 2019 Physically active classrooms 25 6,181 25 0.28
Medicine and science in sports and exercise Owen, Foley, Wilhite, Booker, Lonsdale, & Reece Sport Participation and Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.  2021 Sport participation 115 NA 298 0.26
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Wassenaar, Williamson, Johansen-Berg, Dawes, Roberts, Foster, & Sexton A critical evaluation of systematic reviews assessing the effect of chronic physical activity on academic achievement, cognition and the brain in children and adolescents: a systematic review.  2020 Chronic physical activities on cognitive outcomes 19 NA 31 0.24
Frontiers in Public Health Sember, Jurak, Kovac, Morrison, & Starc Children's physical activity, academic performance, and cognitive functioning: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2020 Physical activity on achievement 44 13,681 44 0.37
International journal of environmental research and public health Ruiz-Hermosa, Álvarez-Bueno, Cavero-Redondo, Martínez-Vizcaíno, Redondo-Tébar, & Sánchez-López Active commuting to and from school, cognitive performance, and academic achievement in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. 2019 Commuting or walking to school 9 NA 9 -0.24
International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vazou, Pesce, Lakes, & Smiley-Oyen More than one road leads to Rome: a narrative review and meta-analysis of physical activity intervention effects on cognition in youth 2019 Chronic physical activities on cognitive outcomes 21 4,044 28 0.46
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Martin-Martinez, Valenzuela, Martinez-Zamora, & Martinez-de-Quel School-based physical activity interventions and language skills: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.  2023 Physical activity on achievement 31 18,651 31 0.38
European Journal of Pediatrics Li, Wang, Zou, Li, Qian, Yan, He Effect of physical activity interventions on Children's Academic Performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023 Exercise on achievement 16 3,920 16 0.75
Educational Psychology Review Vasilipoulos, Jeffrey, Wu, & Dumontheil Multi-level meta-analysis of physical activity interventions during childhood: Effects of physical activity on cognition and academic achievement.  2023 Physical activity on academic outcomes 92 25,334 92 1.04
Sports Medicine Robinson, Riley, Owen, Drew, Mavilidi, Hillman, Faigenbaum, Garcia-Hermoso, & Lubans Effects of resistance training on academic outcomes in school-aged youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023 Resistance training 10 NA 53 0.19
TOTAL/AVERAGE 521 94,308 766 0.33
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