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Cited by 768Physical Activity and HealthCardiovascular and exercise physiologyCognitive Abilities and Testing

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The Influence of Physical Fitness and Exercise upon Cognitive Functioning: A Meta-Analysis

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Etnier, Jennifer L., Salazar, Walter, Landers, Daniel M., Petruzzello, Steven J., Han, Myungwoo, Nowell, Priscilla·1997·Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
DOI 10.1123/jsep.19.3.249
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Abstract

Nearly 200 studies have examined the impact that either acute or long-term exercise has upon cognition. Subsets of these studies have been reviewed using the traditional narrative method, and the common conclusion has been that the results are mixed. Therefore, a more comprehensive review is needed that includes all available studies and that provides a more objective and reproducible review process. Thus, a meta-analytic review was conducted that included all relevant studies with sufficient information for the calculation of effect size (N = 134). The overall effect size was 0.25, suggesting that exercise has a small positive effect on cognition. Examination of the moderator variables indicated that characteristics related to the exercise paradigm, the participants, the cognitive tests, and the quality of the study influence effect size. However, the most important finding was that as experimental rigor decreased, effect size increased. Therefore, more studies need to be conducted that emphasize experimental rigor.

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Authors
Etnier, J. L., Salazar, W., Landers, D. M., Petruzzello, S. J., Han, M., & Nowell, P.
Affiliations
  • Arizona State University (US)
  • 1Arizona State University
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Published
1997-09
Volume
19
Issue
3
Pages
249-277
ISSN
  • 0895-2779 (ISSN-L)
  • 1543-2904
DOI
10.1123/jsep.19.3.249
OpenAlex
W2166439095
Cited by
768
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 42 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 39
FWCI
2.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • NC Digital Online Collection of Knowledge and Scholarship (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
Keywords
physical fitness, physical activity, cognitive function, acute exercise, long-term exercise, effect size, experimental rigor, moderators, cognitive tests

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