Effects of physical activity on children with intellectual disabilities: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives This study aims to review experimental studies that investigate the effects of physical activity interventions on children with intellectual disabilities.Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases were used for the search.Results Fifteen studies meet the eligibility criteria. Regarding body composition variables, intervention groups with physical activity, exercise and/or sports did not show a significant effect (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.16; IC 95%, −0.13 to 0.44; Z = 1.09; p = 0.28). On the other hand, all of the interventions had a significant effect on increasing physical fitness capacities (SMD = 1.36; IC 95%, 1.23–1.50; Z = 19.40; p ≤ 0.001), motor competence (SMD = 1.36; IC 95%, 1.00–1.72; Z = 7.32; p ≤ 0.001), cognitive and social-emotional capacities (SMD = 1.15; IC 95%, 0.97–1.34; Z = 12.39; p ≤ 0.001) and quality of life (SMD = 1.05; IC 95%, 0.66–1.44; Z = 5.24; p ≤ 0.001).Conclusions Participants in intervention groups who engaged in physical activity seems to be more likely to improve their physical fitness, motor skills, cognitive and socio-emotional skills and quality of life, compared to control group.