Affective Judgment and Physical Activity in Youth: Review and Meta-Analyses

Background

A recent meta-analysis on affective judgment and physical activity in adults yielded a medium effect-sized relationship. Despite narrative reviews and topic interest, a meta-analysis in youth has not yet been conducted.

Purpose

This study aims to appraise the overall effect of affective judgment on physical activity in youth via meta-analyses and explore moderators of this relationship.

Methods

Literature searches were conducted between 1990 and 2011. Fixed and random effects meta-analysis with correction for sampling, measurement, and publication bias were employed.

Results

Fifty-six correlational studies and 14 interventions met the inclusion criteria. Among correlational studies, the corrected summary r was 0.26 (95 % CI 0.18–0.32). Significant moderators were gender, measure of physical activity, and recruitment context. Among intervention studies, Cohen’s d was 0.25 (95 % CI 0.11–0.40).

Conclusions

The results are close to a medium effect size which is larger than other meta-analytic physical activity correlates among youth. The construct should be included in our contemporary theories for understanding and intervening upon youth physical activity.