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Gallardo LO, Esteban-Torres D, Rodríguez-Muñoz S, Moreno-Doña A, Abarca-Sos A. Is There Any Relationship between Physical Activity Levels and Academic Achievement? A Cross-Cultural Study among Spanish and Chilean Adolescents. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13030238. [PMID: 36975263 PMCID: PMC10045662 DOI: 10.3390/bs13030238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The current scientific literature has shown significant disparity in results when physical activity is linked to academic achievement among adolescents. Thus, the main objectives of this study were (1) to analyze the relationship among students’ academic achievement, intention to be physically active, and physical activity levels depending on the country (Spain or Chile), as well as to analyze these relationships based on students’ socio-economic status, type of school, school year, gender, and body mass index; and (2) to analyze the differences between all these variables depending on the students’ country and gender. In total, 3052 adolescents participated in the research (14.58 ± 1.39 years): 734 Chilean students (336 males and 398 females) and 2318 Spanish students (1180 males and 1138 females). Various questionnaires were used to measure the study variables. The results revealed significant relationships between academic achievement and the rest of the variables in Spanish adolescents, but in the Chilean population, academic achievement was significantly related only to socio-economic status and the type of school. Moreover, Spanish students obtained higher scores, especially the males, except for academic achievement, which was higher in females. There were also significant differences in academic achievement, intention to be physically active, physical activity levels, and socio-economic status depending on the country, with all scores being higher in Spain. Given the results, the country seems to be an important factor when comparing academic achievement and physical activity levels, besides other demographic variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura O. Gallardo
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zaragoza, C/Atarazana 4, 44003 Teruel, Spain
| | - Diego Esteban-Torres
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zaragoza, C/Atarazana 4, 44003 Teruel, Spain
| | - Sheila Rodríguez-Muñoz
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zaragoza, C/Atarazana 4, 44003 Teruel, Spain
| | - Alberto Moreno-Doña
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valparaíso, Casa Central—Angamos, Viña del Mar 655, Chile
| | - Alberto Abarca-Sos
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zaragoza, C/Atarazana 4, 44003 Teruel, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-978618101
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Muntaner-Mas A, Martínez-Gómez D, Castro-Piñero J, Fernandez-Santos JR, Salmon J, Veiga ÓL, Esteban-Cornejo I. Objectively measured physical activity and academic performance in school-aged youth: The UP&DOWN longitudinal study. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2021; 31:2230-2240. [PMID: 34411337 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
To examine the longitudinal relationships between objectively measured total volume and specific intensities of physical activity (PA) with academic performance in a large sample of youth aged 6-18 years. A longitudinal study of 1046 youth (10.04 ± 3.10 years) from Spain was followed over 2 years. PA (volume and intensity) was measured by accelerometry. Academic performance was assessed through grades reported on the transcript at the end of the academic year (Mathematics, Language, an average of these two core subjects, and grade point average [GPA]). Longitudinal relationships between PA and four indicators of academic performance were examined using covariance and regression analyses, adjusted for a variety of confounders. Youth Quartile 2 for PA volume at baseline obtained better scores than those who participated in Quartiles 1 or 4 volumes of PA in GPA 2 years later (p = 0.006). There were generally no longitudinal associations between specific PA intensities and any of the academic performance indicators (all p > 0.170). However, a change in light PA over 2 years was inversely associated with three academic indicators in youth (βrange , -.103 to - 090; all P < 040). Findings suggest that participants in Quartile 2 volume of PA had a better GPA in comparison with Quartiles 1 and 4 volumes of PA during youth, but there was no association with changes in PA volume over time. PA intensity was generally unrelated to academic performance during youth. However, there was an inverted u-shape relationship between light PA changes and GPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrià Muntaner-Mas
- GICAFE "Physical Activity and Exercise Sciences Research Group", University of Balearic Islands, Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.,PROFITH "PROmotingFITness and Health through physical activity" research group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - David Martínez-Gómez
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,IMDEA Food Institute, CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Castro-Piñero
- GALENO research group, Department of Physical Education, School of Education, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.,Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of cadiz, (INiBICA) Research Unit, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Jorge R Fernandez-Santos
- GALENO research group, Department of Physical Education, School of Education, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.,Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of cadiz, (INiBICA) Research Unit, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Jo Salmon
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Óscar L Veiga
- EstiLIFE Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Sport and Human Movement, University Autonomous of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Esteban-Cornejo
- PROFITH "PROmotingFITness and Health through physical activity" research group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Barth Vedøy I, Skulberg KR, Anderssen SA, Tjomsland HE, Thurston M. Physical activity and academic achievement among Norwegian adolescents: Findings from a longitudinal study. Prev Med Rep 2021; 21:101312. [PMID: 33537183 PMCID: PMC7841350 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A longitudinal study of youth explored physical activity and academic achievement. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry and academic achievement by school grades. Mediation through changes in waist circumference and sleep duration were explored. Changes in physical activity were not associated with changes in academic achievement. There was no mediation via changes in waist circumference or sleep duration.
Regular physical activity (PA) has been associated with academic achievement, but the evidence is mainly based on cross-sectional research and self-reported measures of PA. The purpose of the current study was to explore the longitudinal relationship between objectively measured PA and academic achievement among a cohort of adolescents in Norway between 2016 and 2018. As a secondary aim, an indirect relationship via waist circumference (WC) and sleep duration was assessed. Data from 599 adolescents (54.4% female, mean age at baseline ± SD 13.3 ± 0.3 years) were collected annually during their three years at lower secondary school. PA was measured objectively using accelerometry. Academic achievement was assessed using grade point average (GPA) from school records. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore associations between longitudinal changes in measures of PA (Total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) and academic achievement directly or via mediators. Results showed no significant associations between Total PA or MVPA and academic achievement, either in the main analyses or through mediation of WC and sleep duration. The results contribute to a growing evidence base of studies showing no association between objectively measured PA and academic achievement among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Barth Vedøy
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Postboks 400, 2418 Elverum, Norway.,The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Postboks 4014 Ullevål stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Miranda Thurston
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Postboks 400, 2418 Elverum, Norway
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