Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents

IntroductionPhysical activity is recognized as an effective strategy for preventing myopia and cardiovascular diseases in children and adolescents; however, its impact on ocular biological parameters in this population remains poorly understood. This study systematically evaluates the effects of phy...

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Main Authors: Pengfei Nie, Tong Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1615033/full
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author Pengfei Nie
Pengfei Nie
Tong Feng
Tong Feng
author_facet Pengfei Nie
Pengfei Nie
Tong Feng
Tong Feng
author_sort Pengfei Nie
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionPhysical activity is recognized as an effective strategy for preventing myopia and cardiovascular diseases in children and adolescents; however, its impact on ocular biological parameters in this population remains poorly understood. This study systematically evaluates the effects of physical activity on ocular parameters in children and adolescents, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for myopia and cardiovascular disease prevention.MethodsThe study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD4202454649). A comprehensive search of electronic databases—Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PubMed—was conducted from their inception through April 2025. Two reviewers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessments using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro and NOS scales, and outcomes were analyzed via network meta-analysis in RevMan 5.3.ResultsFourteen studies [8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 3 cross-sectional studies, 2 non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs), and 1 cohort study] involving 12,548 participants aged 6–26 years were included. Meta-analysis revealed that physical activity significantly improved KVA (MD = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.18–0.29, p < 0.001), enhanced UDVA (MD = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.08–0.32, p < 0.001), delayed axial length (AL) progression (MD = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.08–0.32, p < 0.001), suppressed spherical equivalent refraction (SER) progression (MD = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.08–0.32, p < 0.001), reduced central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) (MD = −2.50, 95% CI = −4.86 to −0.13, p = 0.04), and narrowed central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) (MD = −2.50, 95% CI = −4.86 to −0.13, p = 0.04). Physical activity demonstrably enhances dynamic and uncorrected distance vision, attenuates SER progression, and positively influences retinal vascular parameters.ConclusionRegular physical activity effectively slows myopia development and progression in children and adolescents while contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024546449.
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spelling doaj-art-b1a69aad18614f759e9fb76ec1f10ace2025-08-20T02:22:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16150331615033Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescentsPengfei Nie0Pengfei Nie1Tong Feng2Tong Feng3Nantong Institute of Technology, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Kunsan National University, Gunsan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Physical Education, Kunsan National University, Gunsan-si, Republic of KoreaBeijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaIntroductionPhysical activity is recognized as an effective strategy for preventing myopia and cardiovascular diseases in children and adolescents; however, its impact on ocular biological parameters in this population remains poorly understood. This study systematically evaluates the effects of physical activity on ocular parameters in children and adolescents, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for myopia and cardiovascular disease prevention.MethodsThe study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD4202454649). A comprehensive search of electronic databases—Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PubMed—was conducted from their inception through April 2025. Two reviewers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessments using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro and NOS scales, and outcomes were analyzed via network meta-analysis in RevMan 5.3.ResultsFourteen studies [8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 3 cross-sectional studies, 2 non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs), and 1 cohort study] involving 12,548 participants aged 6–26 years were included. Meta-analysis revealed that physical activity significantly improved KVA (MD = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.18–0.29, p < 0.001), enhanced UDVA (MD = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.08–0.32, p < 0.001), delayed axial length (AL) progression (MD = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.08–0.32, p < 0.001), suppressed spherical equivalent refraction (SER) progression (MD = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.08–0.32, p < 0.001), reduced central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) (MD = −2.50, 95% CI = −4.86 to −0.13, p = 0.04), and narrowed central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) (MD = −2.50, 95% CI = −4.86 to −0.13, p = 0.04). Physical activity demonstrably enhances dynamic and uncorrected distance vision, attenuates SER progression, and positively influences retinal vascular parameters.ConclusionRegular physical activity effectively slows myopia development and progression in children and adolescents while contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024546449.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1615033/fullphysical activityeye healthchildrenadolescentsmeta-analysisocular biometrics
spellingShingle Pengfei Nie
Pengfei Nie
Tong Feng
Tong Feng
Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents
Frontiers in Public Health
physical activity
eye health
children
adolescents
meta-analysis
ocular biometrics
title Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents
title_full Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents
title_fullStr Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents
title_full_unstemmed Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents
title_short Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents
title_sort meta analysis of the effects of physical activity on ocular biometrics in children and adolescents
topic physical activity
eye health
children
adolescents
meta-analysis
ocular biometrics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1615033/full
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