Effects of exercise interventions on EEG alpha power across different populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the to evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha-band power across different populations. Methods PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from inception to June 25, 2026. Randomized controlled trials comparing an exercise intervention with a control condition and reporting EEG alpha-band power were included. Standardized mean differences were calculated as Hedges’ g. Random-effects models using restricted maximum likelihood estimation and Knapp-Hartung adjustment were applied. Heterogeneity, prediction intervals, subgroup effects, intervention-duration meta-regression, influence diagnostics, recording-condition sensitivity analyses, and small-study effects were examined. Results Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving 497 participants were included. Exercise interventions were associated with greater EEG alpha-band power than control conditions (Hedges’ g = 1.23, 95% CI [0.44, 2.02], p = 0.005), although heterogeneity was considerable ( I 2 = 91.56%, τ 2 = 1.49) and the 95% prediction interval included the null value (−1.55 to 4.01). No significant moderation effects were observed for alpha-power metric, population type, or exercise paradigm, and intervention duration was not associated with effect size in chronic-exercise studies ( β = 0.103, p = 0.142). Leave-one-out analyses yielded consistently positive results. The pooled estimate remained positive and statistically significant when the analysis was restricted to studies with clearly defined resting-state conditions (Hedges’ g = 1.21, 95% CI [0.70, 1.72], p < 0.001) and reduced heterogeneity ( I 2 = 69.46%). Egger’s test was not significant ( p = 0.465), though publication bias could not be excluded. Confidence in the evidence was limited by risk-of-bias concerns, inconsistency, and imprecision. Conclusion Exercise interventions were associated with greater EEG alpha-band power on average; however, the considerable heterogeneity and prediction interval crossing the null indicate substantial uncertainty across study settings. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprospero , CRD420251179061.