Physical activity context may matter for cognitive test results
Studies spanning preschool to older adulthood found small positive cognitive effects on average. Larger estimates in some activity settings do not establish that those settings cause greater benefits.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across a broad age range, the review reported small positive effects on cognition for both ongoing physical activity and single activity bouts. Estimates differed with activity setting, intensity and cognitive demands. However, the abstract does not specify control conditions or establish that changing a particular context would itself cause a larger cognitive improvement.
This abstract-based summary cannot assess individual study quality or comparison conditions. Differences between study contexts do not directly establish that an outdoor setting or particular intensity is superior.
The average effects were small
For ongoing activity, the standardized effect was g = 0.25, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.19–0.31. This expresses a difference relative to score variation, rather than a percentage improvement in cognition.
Context offers questions for future trials
Larger estimates appeared in certain outdoor activity categories and in ongoing activity with high cognitive demands. These patterns can guide future comparisons, but they do not identify an optimal activity program for an individual.
The original publication
How physical activity context relates to cognition across the lifespan: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Mavilidi MF, Vazou S, Lubans DR et al.
Psychol Bull · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40489179
- Record checked
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