A List of 89 Review Papers from 2020: Children, Exercise, Sport and Fitness
I’ll admit it. I can chase squirrels and go down the proverbial rabbit hole.
Sometimes I wake in the morning and just let my curiosity and motivation take me. Today, Christmas Eve Day 2020, I found myself interested in pursuing a thought from the previous day on providing folks with a list of key papers published in 2020. You know, we always see these ‘Best of 2020’ lists. Well, I was actually thinking more along the lines of what was published in 2020 in the area of children and exercise or the field of pediatric exercise science and sports medicine.
I did a quick PUBMED search using the keywords ‘children and exercise’. From a previous search I had ticked the ‘review paper’ filter. 329 papers matched the search. I started scrolling through the list and copying-and-pasting those I thought relevant to the work that we do. This meant cutting out some highly clinical papers (e.g., Effects of physical exercise for children and adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation). I also changed ‘exercise’ to ‘sport’ which returned 193 results, which of course had some overlap but a few other pertinent papers surfaced. And then, what the hell why not… ‘fitness’…which yielded 75 results and a few additional adds. I could have continued by using ‘adolescent’ ‘youth sports’ etc. but I drew the line with the list below sorted by category.
DISCLAIMER: I include the link to PUBMED which will provide at the least the abstract and may lead you to either a free or paid link to the full publication.
Physical Activity / Sedentary Behaviour
2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years: summary of the evidence
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33239009/
Longitudinal changes in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity in children and adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31646739/
The whole day matters: Understanding 24-hour movement guideline adherence and relationships with health indicators across the lifespan
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32711156/
Moving more: physical activity and its positive effects on long term conditions in children and young people
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32198161/
Development of a consensus statement on the role of the family in the physical activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviours of children and youth
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32539730/
Interventions to Change School Recess Activity Levels in Children and Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33068273/
A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis Resulting in a Typology of Elementary Classroom Movement Integration Interventions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31907711/
A mixed-studies systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31921476/
Effect of Active Video Games on Healthy Children's Fundamental Motor Skills and Physical Fitness
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33182327/
Effects of dancing on physical activity levels of children and adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33197661/
Landscapes of becoming social: A systematic review of evidence for associations and pathways between interactions with nature and socioemotional development in children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33189991/
Green space and early childhood development
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32167931/
The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32053683/
How children and young people can stay physically active during the novel coronavirus pandemic while take into account safety measures and precautions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33312924/
Are There Effective Interventions to Increase Physical Activity in Children and Young People?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32443505/
The Use of Ratings of Perceived Exertion in Children and Adolescents
Secular Trends in Physical Fitness
An Update on Secular Trends in Physical Fitness of Children and Adolescents from 1972 to 2015
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33159655/
Secular Trends in Physical Fitness of Children and Adolescents: A Review of Large-Scale Epidemiological Studies Published after 2006
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32764514/
A Systematic Analysis of Temporal Trends in the Handgrip Strength of 2,216,320 Children and Adolescents Between 1967 and 2017
General Health & Fitness Outcomes
Is device-measured vigorous-intensity physical activity associated with health-related outcomes in children and adolescents?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33285309/
Effects of Resistance Training on Physical Fitness in Healthy Children and Adolescents
Brain, Behaviour & Mental Health
A Review of the Effects of Physical Activity on Cognition and Brain Health across Children and Adolescence
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33161407/
An Overview on the Associations between Health Behaviors and Brain Health in Children and Adolescents with Special Reference to Diet Quality
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32033054/
The Roles of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Fitness in Promoting Resilience During Adolescence: Effects on Mental Well-Being and Brain Development
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33067166/
The Positive Impact and Associated Mechanisms of Physical Activity on Mental Health in Underprivileged Children and Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33171632/
Exercise for depression in children and adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33277972/
Mental Health in the Young Athlete
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32954448/
What is the evidence in evidence-based mindfulness programs for children?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32169196/
The effects of chronic physical activity interventions on executive functions in children aged 3-7 years
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32360243/
Physical Activity and Academic Achievement
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32824593/
School-related physical activity interventions and mental health among children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32548792/
Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31921425/
Universal and selective interventions to promote good mental health in young people
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33162291/
Bullying victimization, physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32917230/
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Outcomes, and Interventions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32122559/
Concussion
Early Aerobic Exercise for the Treatment of Acute Pediatric Concussions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32503036/
Effectiveness of return to activity and return to school protocols for children postconcussion
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32153982/
Sex-Related Differences in the Effects of Sports-Related Concussion
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32533752/
Outpatient Management of Sport-Related Concussion, Return to Learn, Return to Play
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33187614/
What is the risk of recurrent concussion in children and adolescents aged 5-18 years?
Childhood Obesity
Physical Activity in the Prevention of Childhood Obesity: The Position of the European Childhood Obesity Group and the European Academy of Pediatrics
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33224905/
Exercise in the treatment of childhood obesity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32231444/
Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome in Children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33017828/
Effective strategies for childhood obesity prevention via school based, family involved interventions: a critical review for the development of the Feel4Diabetes-study school based component
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32370795/
Family-Centered Interventions for Treatment and Prevention of Childhood Obesity in Hispanic Families
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32734580/
Consideration of Social Disadvantages for Understanding and Preventing Obesity in Children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32984237/
Effects of physical training on anthropometrics, physical and physiological capacities in individuals with obesity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32383553/
A systematic review of lifestyle patterns and their association with adiposity in children aged 5-12 years
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32297464/
Effects of Lifestyle Modification Interventions to Prevent and Manage Child and Adolescent Obesity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32722112/
Effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive performance of overweight or obese children and adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32388536/
Delayed motor skills associated with pediatric obesity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33268277/
Obesity, the new childhood disability? An umbrella review on the association between adiposity and physical function
Cardiovascular Health
Vascular Structure and Function in Children and Adolescents: What Impact Do Physical Activity, Health-Related Physical Fitness, and Exercise Have?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32266183/
The Assessment of the Paediatric Athlete
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32367344/
The adolescent athlete's heart; A miniature adult or grown-up child?
Respiratory Health
The Unexpected Risks of COVID-19 on Asthma Control in Children
Musculoskeletal Health
Exercise and Peak Bone Mass
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32249382/
Combined effects of physical activity and calcium on bone health in children and adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31919756/
Association Between Muscular Strength and Bone Health from Children to Young Adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32060751/
Osgood-Schlatter disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31714260/
ACL Injury
Treatment after anterior cruciate ligament injury: Panther Symposium ACL Treatment Consensus Group
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32388664/
Which Metrics Are Being Used to Evaluate Children and Adolescents After ACL Reconstruction?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32875306/
Is It Time We Better Understood the Tests We are Using for Return to Sport Decision Making Following ACL Reconstruction?
Strength Training
Resistance Training for Children and Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32457216/
The Effects of Resistance Training on Blood Pressure in Preadolescents and Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33126545/
Effects of Resistance Training on Change-of-Direction Speed in Youth and Young Physically Active and Athletic Adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32451922/
Free-Weight Resistance Training in Youth Athletes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32578028/
Effects of Plyometric Jump Training on Jump and Sprint Performance in Young Male Soccer Players
Motor Skill Development
The Relationship Between Actual and Perceived Motor Competence in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32970291/
The Effects of Physical Education on Motor Competence in Children and Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32549319/
Assessing Technical Skills in Talented Youth Athletes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32495253/
Delayed motor skills associated with pediatric obesity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33268277/
The Importance of Motor Skills for Development
Growth, Biological Maturity and Youth Sports
Advances in Sports Medicine and Care of the Adolescent Athlete
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32389257/
Maturity-associated considerations for training load, injury risk, and physical performance in youth soccer: One size does not fit all
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32961300/
The psychology of bio-banding: a Vygotskian perspective
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32674664/
Designing Junior Sport to Maximize Potential: The Knowns, Unknowns, and Paradoxes of Scaling Sport
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31969846/
Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32086645/
Sport specialization
Sport specialization in young athletes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31880651/
Single Sport Specialization in the Skeletally Immature Athlete: Current Concepts
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32520903/
Comparing Burnout in Sport-Specializing Versus Sport-Sampling Adolescent Athletes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32166094/
Current Trends and Impact of Early Sports Specialization in the Throwing Athlete
Nutrition
Role of Milk and Dairy Products in Growth of the Child
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31991434/
Breakfast Characteristics and Its Association with Daily Micronutrients Intake in Children and Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33092061/
Effects of Ramadan Observance on Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Adolescent Athletes
Childhood Cancer
Evaluation Tools for Physical Activity Programs for Childhood Cancer
….and one from one of my all-time favorite pediatric exercise scientists - Professor Han Kemper
Change in the Mindset of a Paediatric Exercise Physiologist: A Review of Fifty Years Research
…and remember this is just published reviews in 2020, there are a lot of good ideas, information, science, publications, chats, videos, blogs, etc. elsewhere and also previously - that is, don’t forget literature published in 2015 or 1978 for that matter. I also want to make that point that it is important to connect, collaborate, share and read ,think and be inquisitive to continue to understand, design, develop and implement best practices towards physical activity, exercise, sports, health, fitness and athletic development in youth, teens and beyond.