Effects of physical activity on behaviour and emotional problems, mental health and psychosocial well-being in children and adolescents with intellectual disability: A systematic review

AbstractBackgroundThis systematic review aimed to explore the effects of sport and physical activity on behaviour and emotional problems, mental health and psychosocial well‐being of children and adolescents with intellectual disability.MethodFive databases were searched systematically (ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SportDISCUS and SCOPUS), up to 28 February 2021. Thirty‐two studies met criteria for inclusion.ResultsStudies in this review included case studies (n = 15), treatment trials (n = 14), cross sectional studies (n = 2) and a cohort study (n = 1). Evidence was positive, though high risk of bias in treatment trials (7 of 14 rated high) meant generalisability of results was limited.ConclusionsThe available evidence suggests a positive relationship between physical activity and improved behaviour and emotional problems, mental health and psychosocial well‐being; however, more robust randomised controlled trials are required to confirm this.