LAUSR

Abstract Objectives This systematic review aimed to examine the relationships between physical activity and posttraumatic growth (PTG) following a highly stressful life event. Design A systematic review was conducted to identify eligible articles. A meta-analysis was conducted for quantitative studies and a meta-ethnographic synthesis was conducted for qualitative studies. Method After systematic searches of five databases and literature screening, 20 quantitative studies and 12 qualitative studies were included in the final review. A meta-analysis of 14 quantitative studies was conducted to examine association between leisure-time physical activity and PTG. A meta-ethnographic synthesis of 10 qualitative studies was conducted to examine the relationship between physical activity and the experience of PTG. Results The meta-analysis revealed a positive, yet small, association between leisure-time physical activity and PTG (average correlation = 0.120; 95% confidence interval: 0.071 to 0.168; p  Conclusions This review suggest physical activity is a behavioral factor that may facilitate PTG. It highlights methodological considerations for further research.