Effects of exercise interventions on sleep quality in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Objective: Adolescents' declining sleep quality has caught the attention of educators, parents, doctors, and schools. Research, especially focusing on teenagers, is still lacking, despite numerous studies examining the connection between physical exercise and sleep quality across other demographics. This study aims to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of exercise interventions on adolescents' sleep quality.
Methods: Investigate articles available until April 17, 2025, in databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Embase. Evaluate the quality of the studies based on the standards outlined in the Cochrane Handbook and conduct data analysis with Review Manager 5.3 software.
Results: After screening 2,312 articles, 8 studies involving 710 participants were ultimately included for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results indicated that exercise effectively improves sleep quality in adolescents (SMD = -2.10, 95% CI: -2.86 to -1.35, p < 0.05). Various weekly exercise frequencies, single-session lengths, and total intervention durations all demonstrated statistically significant favorable impacts on adolescents' sleep quality, according to subgroup analyses. Regarding exercise modality, combined exercise demonstrated no significant effect on adolescents' sleep quality, whereas both aerobic and resistance exercise produced significant improvements.
Conclusion: Exercise can effectively improve sleep quality in adolescents. A…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 710 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluating the Evidence Base of Melatonin, Light Exposure, Exercise, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients with Insomnia Disorder
- Use of Melatonin and/on Ramelteon for the Treatment of Insomnia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Influence of evening light exposure on polysomnographically assessed night-time sleep: A systematic review with meta-analysis
- Use of melatonin in children and adolescents with idiopathic chronic insomnia: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and clinical recommendation
- Significant potential of melatonin therapy in Parkinson’s disease – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Meta-Analysis: Melatonin for the Treatment of Primary Sleep Disorders
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.