Effects of Extra-curricular Physical Activity Programs on High-school Girls: A Systematic Review

IntroductionMost adolescents do not meet physical activity (PA) recommendations, especially girls. Physical inactivity has major physical and psychosocial deleterious effects on adolescents. Little is known about the effect of girl-only, extra-curricular PA programs designed for adolescents on physical and psychosocial outcomes. Hence, this systematic review assessed quantitative and qualitative studies evaluating the effects of such interventions. It also aimed at identifying recommendations to improve their implementation and efficacy. MethodsLiterature published until June 4, 2018, was searched in three electronic databases. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of studies presenting results on physical and psychosocial outcomes, not those presenting solely implementation recommendations. ResultsSeventeen quantitative and qualitative studies describing 10 different PA programs were included. Six of these studies provided recommendations for implementation only. The overall quality of the studies assessing the effects on physical and psychosocial outcomes was moderate, with an average score of 58%. The PA programs assessed did not lead to clear improvements in PA levels or other physical outcomes. Concerning psychosocial results, there is some evidence that the programs could improve dimensions of the self-esteem construct. ConclusionFuture studies should assess the effect of girl-only, extra-curricular PA programs on the health-related habits, such as reduction of sedentary time among adolescents and sleep duration. More studies evaluating the psychosocial effects as a primary outcome are recommended to obtain a clearer understanding of the benefits. This review gathers recommendations to improve the efficacy of future extra-curricular PA programs designed to increase PA levels in girls.