Key result
Physical activity is linked to lower anxiety in ~70% of evaluated student cohorts.
Why the study?
University students show high susceptibility to anxiety, which impairs cognition, but evidence on how physical activity relates to anxiety symptoms and academic performance had not been synthesized.
Does physical activity reduce anxiety and improve academic performance in university students?
Systematic Review (n=15,748)
Does physical activity reduce anxiety and improve academic performance in university students?
Physical activity interventions may alleviate anxiety symptoms and potentially enhance academic performance in university students, though current evidence is limited by methodological heterogeneity and a reliance on cross-sectional designs.
Physical activity may reduce anxiety and improve academic performance in university students; leaves open causal effects pending rigorous randomized trials.
Anxiety disorders affect over 280 million people globally and are associated with cognitive impairment. University students show a particularly high susceptibility, with studies reporting prevalent daily anxiety in this population. Physical activity (PA) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing stress and anxiety, potentially enhancing cognitive function. This scoping review examines existing evidence on the relationship between PA, anxiety symptoms, and academic performance in university students while identifying research gaps. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and Arksey and O'Malley's framework, we analyzed observational and experimental studies from PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus. A descriptive-analytical approach assessed the effects of exercise on anxiety and academic outcomes. Out of 362 records screened, 27 met the inclusion criteria. Evidence suggests PA interventions across intensity levels may alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve academic performance. However, experimental studies specifically targeting this population remain scarce. Current findings indicate PA interventions may reduce anxiety and potentially enhance academic performance in university students. Further experimental research is required to establish causality and elucidate underlying mechanisms.
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Fernández et al. (2025) conducted a systematic review in Anxiety and academic performance (n=15,748). Physical activity vs. Lower physical activity or no physical activity was evaluated on Anxiety symptoms and academic performance. Physical activity was associated with reductions in anxiety in 70% of studies and improvements in academic performance in 63% of studies among university students.
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