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Aerobic exercise improves sleep outcomes in children and adolescents, but effect size uncertainAerobic exercise may improve sleep for children and adolescents

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Key Takeaway
Consider aerobic exercise for sleep improvement in youth, but expect variable results.

This is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining the effect of aerobic exercise on sleep-related outcomes in children and adolescents. The analysis pooled data from multiple studies, though the total sample size and specific comparators were not reported. The primary outcome was sleep-related outcomes, which showed improvement with aerobic exercise, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.40-1.43). This suggests a large effect on average, but the 95% prediction interval ranged from -0.98 to 2.80, crossing the null, indicating that the true effect in future studies could be negative or positive.

The authors noted considerable heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 91.5%), which limits the precision of the pooled estimate. Heterogeneous outcome definitions across studies further complicate interpretation. Additionally, the limited number of studies in several subgroups precluded robust subgroup analyses. These factors suggest that while aerobic exercise may be beneficial, the magnitude and consistency of the effect are uncertain.

For clinical practice, aerobic exercise may be considered as a potential intervention to improve sleep in children and adolescents, but clinicians should interpret these findings with caution given the heterogeneity and the wide prediction interval. The evidence is not strong enough to recommend a specific exercise regimen or to predict individual responses reliably. Future research with standardized outcome measures and larger samples is needed to clarify the effects.

Getting a good night's sleep is vital for growing bodies and minds. For many children and teenagers struggling with sleep disorders, finding the right way to improve rest can feel like an uphill battle. Recent research looked at how aerobic exercise—like running or swimming—impacts sleep outcomes in these young people.

The analysis found that aerobic exercise was linked to improved sleep-related outcomes for kids and teens. However, researchers noted that the results were not perfectly consistent across all groups. Because different studies used different ways to measure success, it is hard to say exactly how much improvement every child can expect from a specific routine.

While the link between movement and better rest is promising, there are still some unknowns. The data shows some variation in how well it works depending on the situation. If you are looking for ways to help your child sleep better, talk with a doctor to see if adding more aerobic activity fits their specific needs.

What this means for you:
Aerobic exercise may improve sleep for children and teens, but the exact level of benefit varies by person.

Common questions

Can aerobic exercise help kids with sleep problems?

Yes, the analysis suggests that aerobic exercise can lead to improved sleep-related outcomes in children and adolescents. While it shows a positive link, the exact amount of improvement can vary because different studies used different ways to measure success.

Is the benefit of exercise for sleep consistent in all children?

The results are not perfectly consistent across all groups. Because of differences in how outcomes were defined and a wide range of data, the magnitude and consistency of the benefits remain uncertain for some subgroups.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedAug 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: Sleep problems are increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents, contributing to impaired daytime functioning, reduced academic performance, and long-term health risks. Aerobic exercise has been proposed as a promising behavioral strategy to promote sleep health in youth; yet, evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remains variable. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized randomized controlled trials to estimate the effects of aerobic exercise on sleep-related outcomes in children and adolescents and to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. METHODS: Several major English and Chinese databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CNKI, were systematically searched up to August 2025. Fourteen studies were included. Effect sizes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and oriented so that positive values indicated improvement in sleep-related outcomes. A random-effects meta-analysis using restricted maximum likelihood estimation and the Hartung-Knapp adjustment was performed, with 95% prediction intervals calculated. Prespecified exploratory subgroup analyses examined intervention duration, measurement modality, and age group, with formal tests for subgroup differences where feasible. RESULTS: Aerobic exercise was associated with improved sleep-related outcomes (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.40-1.43), with considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 91.5%) and a 95% prediction interval of -0.98 to 2.80. Exploratory subgroup estimates varied by intervention duration, measurement modality, and age; however, tests for subgroup differences were not statistically significant (P = .291, P = .868, and P = .873, respectively). These findings should be interpreted cautiously because several subgroups contained few studies. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise may improve sleep-related outcomes in children and adolescents. However, the magnitude and consistency of the benefit remain uncertain because of considerable heterogeneity, a prediction interval crossing the null, heterogeneous outcome definitions, and the limited number of studies in several subgroups. Further well-designed RCTs using standardized sleep outcomes and objective measures, where feasible, are needed.
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