Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2026
DOI
10.1016/j.ridd.2026.105233
Publication Title
Research in Developmental Disabilities
Volume
169
Pages
105233
Abstract
Purpose
Physical inactivity is a health concern for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) as it directly increases their risk of developing various health problems. Evidence on differences in accelerometer-assessed physical activity between children and adolescents with and without NDDs is inconclusive. And age- and body mass index (BMI)-related effects on physical activity remain unclear.
Methods
The systematic literature searches were performed in 6 databases up to March 2025. Methodological quality was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scales. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Hedges' g was used to express the effect size index with 95 % confidence interval (CI). Meta-regression on age and BMI was also performed to investigate the potential moderating effects.
Results
Out of the 2167 studies initially identified, 28 were included in the analysis, which comprised total physical activity (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and light physical activity (LPA) included in the meta-analysis, respectively. These studies involved 1060 children and adolescents with NDDs and 1820 without, aged 6.6-16.9 years. A small-to-moderate effect size exists for the difference in TPA (g=-0.299) and MVPA (g=-0.479) between children and adolescents with and without NDD, particularly indicating a difference in 12.7 min of MVPA daily. The difference in LPA was not significant (g=0.450, p = 0.125). The decline in MVPA with age was more pronounced in those with NDDs, and the difference in MVPA was smaller for those with lower BMI.
Conclusion
The variation in MVPA differences by age and BMI highlights the need to develop better physical activity habits and reduce these disparities for children and adolescents with NDDs.
Rights
© 2026 The Authors.
This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
Data Availability
Article states: "Data will be made available on request."
Original Publication Citation
Liang, X., Chan, R. C. F., Haegele, J. A., Healy, S., Xu, R. H., Liu, C., Chen, M., Li, M., Zhang, H., Sit, C. H. P., & Shum, D. H. K. (2026). Accelerometer-measured physical activity among children and adolescents with and without neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 169, Article 105233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2026.105233
ORCID
0000-0002-8580-4782 (Haegele)
Repository Citation
Liang, Xiao; Chan, Raffy C.F.; Haegele, Justin A.; Healy, Sean; Xu, Richard H.; Liu, Chang; Chen, Ming; Li, Minghui; Zhang, Hui; Sit, Cindy H.P.; and Shum, David H.K., "Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Among Children and Adolescents With and Without Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" (2026). Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications. 225.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/hms_fac_pubs/225
Appendix A. Supplementary Material
Included in
Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons, Disability and Equity in Education Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Physical Therapy Commons