Effects of exercise on thyroid hormones in children and adolescents with thyroid function disorders: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Exercise leads to changes in hormonal concentration and metabolites which impacts growth and development; during physical activity, energy metabolism is influenced by hormones associated with pubertal development, and characterization of its response to exercise is essential. Therefore, we aimed to identify the effects of exercise on thyroid hormones in children and adolescents with thyroid function disorders. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase based on the search strategy, and the articles were screened based on inclusion criteria, for which two independent reviewers conducted data extraction. The eligible studies were methodologically assessed using a modified Downs and Black’s checklist. The extracted data were summarized according to study population, intervention, type and duration, outcome measures, and results. Results: The total number of screened articles was 1,710, out of which six papers were included for review. Studies included children and adolescents with hypothyroidism, intellectual disabilities, and obesity who received exercise or physical activity as an intervention. The outcomes included thyroid hormones T3, T4, and TSH. Studies were generally of low quality. The findings of the studies throw some light on the benefits of exercise or physical activity. Conclusions: Structured physical activity and exercise followed for a more extended period showed some thyroid function changes in this population. The intensity of change was directly proportional to exercise intensity. However, this review does not provide sufficient evidence stating that exercise results in changes of thyroid function returning to normal, which requires further higher-quality studies to strengthen the review’s findings.