If you're looking for a way to help your child feel better about themselves, a new research review suggests that lifting weights or doing body-weight exercises might be the most effective choice.
Researchers combined results from 17 randomized controlled trials involving typically developing children and adolescents. They compared different types of physical activity, including resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, mind-body exercise, multimodal exercise, and stretching. The goal was to see which one had the biggest impact on self-esteem.
Resistance exercise came out on top. It had the highest probability of being the most effective intervention for improving self-esteem, with a SUCRA value of 97.8%. It was significantly better than multimodal exercise, stretching, and no intervention. However, its advantage over aerobic and mind-body exercise was not statistically significant, meaning we can't be sure it's truly better than those.
The findings are based on a network meta-analysis, which is a method that combines evidence from multiple studies. The authors note the results are robust due to good consistency and low risk of bias. But this type of analysis can't prove cause and effect, so think of it as strong evidence, not a guarantee.
For parents, teachers, and coaches, this suggests that adding resistance training to a child's routine might be a smart move for building confidence. But remember, any physical activity is better than none, and the best exercise is the one your child enjoys and will stick with.
