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Effects of Exercise Intervention on Students’ Test Anxiety: A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Xueyan Zhang

    (School of Physical Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Wenhao Li

    (School of Physical Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Jinghao Wang

    (School of Physical Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the effects of exercise intervention on students’ test anxiety with a meta-analysis to serve as a reference to further relevant research. CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and EBSCOhost databases were electronically searched from inception to August 2021 in order to identify randomized and non-randomized controlled trials on exercise for treating students’ test anxiety. Two researchers independently screened the study, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of the studies. Meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.4 software. Among the 4115 articles retrieved, 16 were qualitative analyses, 15 of which were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that exercise intervention effectively alleviated students’ test anxiety when compared with the blank control group. Subgroup analysis showed that a single exercise intervention lasting 10~15 min did not relieve students’ test anxiety. The different scales used in the study are the source of inter-study heterogeneity. In conclusion, twenty minutes of aerobic exercise at any intensity performed two to three times a week for at least four weeks can reduce test anxiety levels. However, this is the minimum level and students should not be limited to the minimum amount of exercise when reducing test anxiety. In addition, exercise combined with psychotherapy can reduce students’ test anxiety better than exercise intervention alone. Future studies should explore the minimum intervention period and whether the shorter intervention period can quickly and effectively reduce students’ test anxiety.

Suggested Citation

  • Xueyan Zhang & Wenhao Li & Jinghao Wang, 2022. "Effects of Exercise Intervention on Students’ Test Anxiety: A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6709-:d:828590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Myrto F. Mavilidi & Kim Ouwehand & Nicholas Riley & Paul Chandler & Fred Paas, 2020. "Effects of An Acute Physical Activity Break on Test Anxiety and Math Test Performance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Manjit Kaur Khaira & Raja Lexshimi Raja Gopal & Suriati Mohamed Saini & Zaleha Md Isa, 2023. "Interventional Strategies to Reduce Test Anxiety among Nursing Students: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-15, January.

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