SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
This article is part of the Research TopicExploring the cognitive benefits of physical activity in young peopleView all 6 articles
Optimal Exercise Modalities and Dose for Enhancing Intelligence in Children and Adolescents: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis
Provisionally accepted
Yan Wang1Junyu Wang2
Chengji Wang1
Guotuan Wang3Changdong Li1
YUAN YUAN4
Bopeng Qiu5
Yong Yang1
Lin Zhang6*- 1Chaohu University, Chaohu, China
- 2Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- 3Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- 4Yonsei University, Seodaemun-gu, Republic of Korea
- 5Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- 6Department of Rehabilitation, West China Hospital Sichuan University Jintang Hospital.Jintang First People's Hospital，Chengdu 610499, China., chengdu, China
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Background: To compare the effects of various exercise modalities on intelligence and determine the optimal exercise dose for children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Four databases were searched up to April 1, 2025. Eligible RCTs involved participants aged 5–18 years and assessed exercise interventions with intelligence outcomes (general, fluid, or crystallized). Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence interval or credible intervals were calculated. Dose-response relationships were analyzed using model-based network meta-analysis. Results: Fifteen RCTs with 3,400 participants were included. Exercise was linked to small-to-moderate improvements in general (SMD = 0.59), fluid (SMD = 0.43), and crystallized intelligence (SMD = 0.64). Dual-task balance training (DTBT) produced the most consistent and significant benefits across all domains. Yoga and multicomponent exercise also showed positive effects. Optimal outcomes were achieved with sessions lasting ≥117.7 minutes, three times weekly, totaling 220 minutes per week for at least 11.12 weeks. An inverted U-shaped dose-response curve indicated diminishing returns beyond the optimal frequency and duration. Conclusion: DTBT is the most effective exercise modality for improving intelligence
Keywords: adolescents, Children, Dose-response relationship, Exercise, Intelligence
Received: 13 Aug 2025; Accepted: 28 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Wang, Wang, Wang, Li, YUAN, Qiu, Yang and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Lin Zhang
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