Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2025, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (4): 431-440.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2025.04.008

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Effect of exercise intervention on internet behavioral addictions: a systematic review of systematic reviews

YE Lü(), CHANG Jing, LING Hairun   

  1. Physical Education College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225100, China
  • Received:2025-03-24 Published:2025-04-25 Online:2025-04-25
  • Contact: YE Lü, E-mail: 006738@yzu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Yangzhou University Education Reform Project(YZUJX2023-C6)

Abstract:

Objective To systematically review the evidence from systematic reviews on the effect of exercise on internet behavioral addictions.
Methods Systematic reviews on exercise for internet behavioral addictions were searched in Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and CNKI, from January, 2015 to January, 2025. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, the evidences about exercise on internet behavioral addiction, as well as the health benefits, were reported.
Results Eleven English reviews were included, from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia, involving 31 672 internet behavioral addiction aged ten to 30 years, covering internet addiction, mobile phone addiction and gaming addiction. The included literatures were all systematic reviews mainly from journals in psychology, psychiatry, public health, etc. Interventions included aerobic exercise, strength training, functional training, skill-based training and structured combination exercise, with programs ranging from 30 to 120 minutes per session, one to six times per week, for six to 24 weeks. Exercise significantly improved mental health, behavioral health, physical health and cognitive function. Moderate-intensity structured combination exercise (≥ 60 minutes persession, ≥ 3 times per week, ≥ 8 weeks) showed the best outcomes, especially for gaming addiction. Exercise combined with psychological therapy was more effective for severe addiction.
Conclusion Exercise is effective on internet behavioral addictions, and moderate-intensity structured combination exercise is the most effective. It is recommended to use structured combination exercise for gaming addiction and combined exercise-psychological therapy for severe addiction.

Key words: internet behavioral addiction, internet addiction, gaming addiction, mobile phone addiction, exercise, systematic review

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