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Lu AKM, Tsai SY, Lin CY, Hsieh JL. Discriminating factors of body composition characteristics for academic performance in nursing college students: a cross-sectional study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:305. [PMID: 38702723 PMCID: PMC11069266 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01969-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor body composition may affect health status, and better body composition is often associated with better academic performance. Nursing students face heavy academic and practical pressures, and the relationship between body composition and academic performance in this group is not fully understood. METHODS This cross-sectional observational study used de-identified student data from a university of technology in southern Taiwan to analyze the correlation between body composition characteristics and academic performance using regression models. RESULTS A total of 275 nursing college students were divided into four groups according to academic performance. The group with the lowest academic performance had a lower percentage of body fat (P < 0.05) but a higher percentage of muscle mass (P < 0.05) than the other three groups. Academic performance was positively correlated with percentage of body fat (R = 0.16, P < 0.01) and body age (R = 0.41, P < 0.01), but was negatively correlated with percentage of muscle mass (R = - 0.16, P < 0.01). Percentage of body fat, visceral fat area, and body age were significant discriminators of academic performance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The relationship between academic performance and body composition among nursing college students is not straightforward. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, students with higher academic performance tended to have a higher percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of muscle mass. Percentage of body fat, visceral fat area, and body age were significant discriminators of academic performance, indicating that body composition should be considered an important factor in nursing education and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ke-Ming Lu
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
- Healthcare Information Technology Education Center, College of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Yen Tsai
- Department of Nursing, Kuo General Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yi Lin
- Library and Information Office, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Long Hsieh
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Healthcare Information Technology Education Center, College of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Hermassi S, Ketelhut S, Konukman F, Sellami M, Al-Marri S, Nigg CR, Schwesig R. Comparative Analysis of Physical Activity, Performance-Related Health, and Academic Achievements in 11-to-13-Year-Old Schoolchildren in Qatar. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:588. [PMID: 38470699 PMCID: PMC10930824 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12050588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related differences in physical activity (PA), maturity status (PHV), physical performance (PP), and academic achievement (AA) among schoolchildren in Qatar were examined. Sixty-nine students from a school in Doha were categorized into three equal (n = 23) groups: 11-year-old students (U11; male: n = 14), 12-year-old students (U12: male: n = 7), and 13-year-old students (U13: male: n = 11). The testing process comprised a medicine ball throw, Stork balance test, hand grip strength test, the T-half test (PP), GPA in Arabic, mathematics, science (AA), International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (PA), and Moore's equations (PHV). Relevant age-related differences (p < 0.001) were identified in mathematics, science, the T-half test, maturity, and arm span. Notably, differences between adjacent age groups were evident between U11 and U12, concerning arm span, maturity, mathematics, and science, and between U12 and U13 (the T-half test, mathematics, science). Concerning AP, the performance maxima were calculated for U12 (mathematics, science) and U11 (Arabic). Regarding PP, performance maxima were only observed for U13. Except for the moderate level, the highest levels of PA were detected in U13. Maturity status and anthropometric parameters did not differ significantly between age groups. However, AA demonstrated the most notable age-related differences. Specifically, mathematics showed substantial differences between adjacent age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhail Hermassi
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (M.S.); (S.A.-M.)
| | - Sascha Ketelhut
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (S.K.); (C.R.N.)
| | - Ferman Konukman
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (M.S.); (S.A.-M.)
| | - Maha Sellami
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (M.S.); (S.A.-M.)
| | - Senaid Al-Marri
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (M.S.); (S.A.-M.)
| | - Claudio R. Nigg
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (S.K.); (C.R.N.)
| | - René Schwesig
- Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
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Hermassi S, Ketelhut S, Konukman F, Ayari MA, Al-Marri S, Al Rawahi N, Bouhafs EG, Nigg CR, Schwesig R. Differences in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Health-Related Physical Performance Indices and Academic Achievement: A Comparative Study of Normal-Weight and Obese Children in Qatar. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1057. [PMID: 38398370 PMCID: PMC10888728 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The relationship between physical activity (PA), health-related physical performance (PP), and academic achievement (AA) plays an important role in childhood. This study examined the differences in PA, sedentary behavior, health-related PP, maturity status, and AA between normal-weight and obese school children in Qatar. Methods: Eighty schoolchildren were recruited (age: 12.1 ± 0.6 years). Based on age-specific BMI percentiles, the children were classified as normal weight (n = 40) or obese (n = 40). Moore's equations were used to estimate their maturity status (PHV). The measurements encompassed anthropometric data as well as PP tests (medicine ball throw, postural stability, handgrip strength). AA was assessed by reviewing school records for grade point average in Mathematics, Science, and Arabic courses. The total amount of time spent participating in PA each week was calculated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. Results: Handgrip strength was the only parameter that showed a relevant group difference (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.15; normal weight: 19.7 ± 3.46 N; obese: 21.7 ± 2.80 N). We found only one moderate correlation between PHV and handgrip strength (r = 0.59). Conclusions: The findings suggest that obesity status alone might not serve as a sufficient predictor of AA in school or PA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhail Hermassi
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (S.A.-M.); (N.A.R.)
| | - Sascha Ketelhut
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (S.K.)
| | - Ferman Konukman
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (S.A.-M.); (N.A.R.)
| | - Mohammed Ali Ayari
- Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Senaid Al-Marri
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (S.A.-M.); (N.A.R.)
| | - Nasser Al Rawahi
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (F.K.); (S.A.-M.); (N.A.R.)
| | - El Ghali Bouhafs
- Department of Sports Science, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Claudio R. Nigg
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (S.K.)
| | - René Schwesig
- Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
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Mocanu GD, Onu I. The influence of specialization and the level of physical activism on leisure options for students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. BALNEO AND PRM RESEARCH JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.12680/balneo.2022.501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Leisure activities, their dynamics in ontogenesis and the way of managing the time allocated to them are a topic that is frequently researched. Purpose: to investigate students' attitudes, aiming at aspects related to forms of leisure, depending on specialization and level of physical activism, by applying a questionnaire. Material and method: The research took place in the academic year 2019-2020, on a number of 180 students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports in Galați. The differences for the pairs of independent specialty variables (PES / physical education and sport and PT / physical therapy), respectively physical activity (HLPA / high level of physical activity, and LLPA / low level of physical activity were analyzed, by applying the techniques of MANOVA and ANOVA calculation. Results: Multivariate analysis indicates significant effects of the physical activity variable on the items of the questionnaire for leisure budget factors, preferred leisure activities, leisure sports activities, and for the specialty variable significant effects are determined only at leisure sports activities, so the level of physical activism will generate more differences between the opinions expressed compared to the specialization of students. Univariate test results indicate significant F values (P <0.05) for a number of items, with weaker values, dominant for PT and LLPA groups. Sports activities and socializing on the internet (defining variant of young people) are at the top, so they do not exclude each other. Conclusion: the students from the PES and HLPA groups stand out through a better organization of free time, high satisfaction of its capitalization, a greater involvement in the variants of active leisure and superior socialization, and those from the PT and LLPA groups allocate more time to watching on TV and using the internet.
Keywords: physical activism, specialization, questionnaire, active and passive leisure options, opinions
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Affiliation(s)
- George-Danut Mocanu
- “Dunărea de Jos” University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, 63-65 Gării Street, Galați, România
| | - Ilie Onu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, University of Medi-cine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iasi, 700454 Iasi, Romania
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Zhou J, Liu H, Wen H, Wang X, Wang Y, Yang T. The Association Between Physical Activity and Mathematical Achievement Among Chinese Fourth Graders: A Moderated Moderated-Mediation Model. Front Psychol 2022; 13:862666. [PMID: 35615189 PMCID: PMC9126125 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.862666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored the association between out-of-school physical activity (PA) and mathematical achievement in relation to mathematical anxiety (MA), as well as the influence of parents' support for their children's physical activity on this association, to examine whether parental support for physical activity affects mental health and academic performance. Data were collected from the responses of 22,509 (52.9% boys) children in Grade 4 from six provinces across eastern, central, and western China who completed the mathematics component and the physical education and health component of the national-level education quality assessment. A moderated moderated-mediation model was tested using PROCESS v3.4 and SPSS v19.0, with socioeconomic status, school location, and body mass index as controlled variables. Out-of-school physical activity had a positive effect on children's mathematical achievement, and math anxiety partially mediated this association. The indices of conditional moderated mediation through the parental support of both girls and boys were, respectively, significant, indicating that children can benefit from physical activity, and that increased perceived parental support for physical activity can alleviate their children's math anxiety and improve their mathematics, regardless of gender. However, gender differences were observed in the influence of parental support for physical activity on anxiety: Although girls' math anxiety levels were significantly higher, the anxiety levels of girls with high parental support were significantly lower than those of boys with low parental support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyun Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbo Wen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuna Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yehui Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Hermassi S, Hayes LD, Sanal-Hayes NEM, Schwesig R. Differences in Health-Related Physical Fitness and Academic School Performance in Male Middle-School Students in Qatar: A Preliminary Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:791337. [PMID: 35391970 PMCID: PMC8980685 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.791337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the differences in the level of physical fitness and academic performance among male middle-school children based on different body status categories. A total of 69 male children [age: 12.4 ± 0.7 years; body mass: 58.5 ± 7.2 kg; height: 1.62 ± 0.09 m; and body mass index (BMI): 22.4 ± 3.3 kg/m2] participated and were divided into BMI age-adjusted groups (i.e., lowest, middle, and highest BMI). Height, mass, BMI, stork test of static balance, 10 and 15 m sprint as an indicator for speed, hand-grip strength test, agility T-half test, medicine ball throw (MBT), and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) were assessed. School records were retrieved for grade point averages (GPA) of mathematics, science, and Arabic. We found significant group differences regarding anthropometric (height: ηp2 = 0.24, mass: ηp2 = 0.33, and BMI: ηp2 = 0.66), physical (sprint 10 m: ηp2 = 0.26), and academic (mathematics: ηp2 = 0.19 and science: ηp2 = 0.15) performance parameters. The largest difference (p < 0.001) was observed between the lowest and highest group for the 10 m sprint. All pairwise differences were between the lowest and highest BMI group or the lowest and middle BMI group. No relevant (r > 0.5) correlation between parameters of different dimensions (e.g., anthropometric vs. physical performance parameters) was found. In conclusion, the highest BMI group exhibited similar physical and academic performances than the lowest group. Thus, these data emphasize the importance and appropriateness to engage young Qatari schoolchildren in physical activity as it associates with superior academic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhail Hermassi
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lawrence D Hayes
- Institute of Clinical Exercise and Health Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Nilihan E M Sanal-Hayes
- Institute of Clinical Exercise and Health Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - René Schwesig
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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Shi Y, Yu H, Di S, Ma C. Body Mass Index and Academic Achievement Among Chinese Secondary School Students: The Mediating Effect of Inhibitory Control and the Moderating Effect of Social Support. Front Psychol 2022; 13:835171. [PMID: 35265020 PMCID: PMC8899538 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.835171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on Embodied Cognition Theory, Inhibitory Decline Theory, and Risk Protective Factors Model, this study verified that body mass index (BMI) affects secondary school students’ academic performance through the mechanism of inhibitory control. In addition, it was verified that the strength of this mechanism depends on the teacher, parent, and peer support received by secondary school students. By using height and weight measurements, the classic stroop task, and the social support scale, 264 secondary school students in Shanxi Province, China, were surveyed and their academic performance was collected. The results showed that students with high BMI had poorer academic performance, and inhibitory control partially mediated the effect between BMI and academic performance, with the inhibitory control mediated effect accounting for 36.68% of the total effect. Support from teachers, parents, and peers can ameliorate the negative effects of BMI on academic performance, with teacher support and parental support also ameliorating the negative effects of BMI on inhibitory control. Thus, high BMI impairs inhibitory control and thus has a negative impact on academic performance, which can be buffered by social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaohui Shi
- Normal College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Normal College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Siyu Di
- Normal College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Normal College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.,Center of Application of Psychological Research, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
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Hermassi S, Bartels T, Hayes LD, Schwesig R. Fitness, Fatness, and Academic Attainment in Male Schoolchildren from a Soccer Academy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053106. [PMID: 35270798 PMCID: PMC8910146 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This investigation explored the association between anthropometric measures, fitness, and academic attainment (mathematics and science grade point average [GPA]) in male schoolchildren from a soccer academy. Thirty-one males (age: 10.3 ± 1.19 years; body mass: 41.7 ± 6.5 kg; height: 1.43 ± 0.07 m; body mass index (BMI): 20.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2) participated. Body mass, body fat percentage (%BF), and BMI were used as measures of anthropometry. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (level 1), squat and counter-movement jumps (SJ and CMJ), static balance, 10 and 15 m sprint, and a T-half test for change-of-direction (CoD) performance were used to measure fitness parameters. The GPA of mathematics and science determined academic attainment. All physical performance tests showed excellent relative reliability. ICC was between 0.87 (10 m sprint) and 1.00 (15 m sprint, CMJ). Regarding correlations between fatness and academic attainment, we found three correlations of practical value (r > 0.5), but only for mathematics (BMI: r = 0.540, subscapular skinfold: r = 0.589, body fat: r = 0.560). Mathematics was relevantly correlated with 15 m sprint (r = 0.574) and Yo-Yo IR1 test (r = 0.770). Only static balance (r = 0.428) did not reach the relevance criteria (r > 0.5). Science only showed large correlations with static balance (r = 0.620) and Yo-Yo IR1 test (r = 0.730). In conclusion, fatness and fitness are related to academic attainment in schoolchildren. In addition, except for static balance, all physical performance parameters were relevantly (r > 0.5) correlated with mathematics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhail Hermassi
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
- Correspondence:
| | - Thomas Bartels
- Sports Clinic Halle, Center of Joint Surgery, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Lawrence D. Hayes
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow G72 0LH, UK;
| | - René Schwesig
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
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