Objective To systematically evaluate the effects of different exercise styles on executive function of college students through a meta-analysis of relevant literatures at home and abroad, and to provide evidence-based reference for future studies on mental health and teaching. Method to "aerobic exercise" and "movement" executive function, "cognitive" "college students/female college students" "aerobic exercise/exercise" seven "executive function" keywords retrieval at home and abroad, such as database, retrieval time for January 2021. Literature screening was conducted, and a total of 6 relevant studies were included with high literature quality scores. Meta-analysis was performed on the fixed model. Results The combined effect size of exercise intervention on inhibition function of college students [SMD=2.73, 95%CI: 0.99 ~ 3.48, P < 0.01]. The combined effect size of exercise intervention on refresh function of college students [SMD=-82.52, 95%CI:-127.89 ~ -37.15, P < 0.01]; the combined effect size of exercise intervention on the conversion function of college students [SMD=-98.48, 95%CI:-168.56 ~ -28.39, P < 0.01]. Conclusion Aerobic exercise and bicycle can effectively improve the executive function of college students, while resistance exercise has no improvement effect. the exercise intervention of 30-50min/time has the best effect on improving the inhibition function, conversion function and refresh function of college students. The short-term intervention of 1-2 weeks or the intervention of 8 weeks can improve the inhibition function, conversion function and refresh function of college students. there is no gender difference in the improvement effect of exercise intervention on executive function of college students.
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