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Santana CCDA, Barros MVGD, Medeiros FRCD, Rangel Júnior JFLB, Cantieri FP, Alarcon D, Prado WLD. Does Physical Fitness Relate to Academic Achievement in High School Students? J Phys Act Health 2023; 20:1018-1026. [PMID: 37536682 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2022-0534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Academic achievement (AA) is an important issue not only during the school period since it is a strong predictor of long-term professional and social success. Physical fitness (PF) components are associated with AA, and previous studies were conducted with relatively small samples, lack of statistical power, and the conclusions are based on simple correlational analyses. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between PF (single and clustered) with AA in a large and representative sample of high school students. METHODS Cross-sectional design study conducted with 911 students, aged 13-15 years (38.52% boys) enrolled in the first year of high school. Cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run test), muscular strength (dynamometer), and body composition (skinfolds) were measured. PF components were clustered (Z-cardiorespiratory fitness + Z-muscular strength - Z-body fatness). AA was analyzed through standard math tests. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was applied to verify the independent contribution of each single component and PF's cluster on AA. Age, screen time, maternal education, race, and type of residence were used as covariates. RESULTS Among boys, cardiorespiratory fitness was negatively associated with AA (β = -0.137; P = .041), while strength was positively associated with AA (β = 0.188; P = .004). There was no association between clustered PF indicators and AA (β = 0.064; P = .297). There was a negative association between age and AA in girls (β = -0.151; P = .003) and in boys (β = -0.128; P = .045). CONCLUSIONS These results support current literature, indicating an association between PF's component, namely muscular strength and AA (mathematics) in adolescents, even when controlled for several covariates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniela Alarcon
- California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA,USA
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Zhai X, Ye M, Gu Q, Huang T, Wang K, Chen Z, Fan X. The relationship between physical fitness and academic performance among Chinese college students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2022; 70:395-403. [PMID: 32369716 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1751643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to examine the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance, after controlling for potential confounds. PARTICIPANTS The sample comprised 2,324 college students representing three Chinese universities. METHODS Physical fitness was measured using the Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard; academic performance (ie, Grade Point Average) and lifestyle behaviors were assessed using questionnaires. Academic performance and overall physical fitness were used to divide participants into three categories: low, moderate, and high. RESULTS Several physical fitness indicators systematically differed across the three academic performance categories. Additionally, overall physical fitness was positively associated with academic performance, even after controlling for the effects of lifestyle behaviors; those who belonged to the high overall physical fitness group had lower odds ratios of low academic performance than those belonging to the low overall physical fitness group. CONCLUSIONS Poor academic performance was related to low overall physical fitness . The probability of having poor academic performance was significantly lower among students with high physical fitness than those with low physical fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Zhai
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Ye
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Gu
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuosong Chen
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Fan
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Physical Fitness and Health of Children and Adolescents, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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Rodriguez CC, Camargo EMD, Rodriguez-Añez CR, Reis RS. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. REV BRAS MED ESPORTE 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1517-8692202026052019_0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: To synthesize the evidence available in the literature on the relationship between the components of physical activity, physical fitness and academic achievement in adolescents. Methods: The review followed the methodological procedures described by PRISMA and was carried out in the Lilacs, Medline, SciELO, PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct databases. Quantitative empirical studies published as of 2006 were included. The following descriptors and keywords were used: “Motor activity”, “Physical fitness”, “Physical activity”, “Educational status”, “Academic achievement”, “Academic performance”, and their equivalents in Portuguese and Spanish. Results: The most widely investigated variable was physical fitness (45.5%) followed by physical activity (40.9%), whereas only three studies (13.6%) investigated both. Conclusion: Physical activity and physical fitness are positively associated with the academic achievement of adolescents. In more than 80% of studies the association was considered strong. The physical fitness component most frequently associated with academic achievement was cardiorespiratory fitness. Level of evidence II; Systematic review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Siqueira Reis
- Washington University in Saint Louis, USA; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Brazil
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Tsai YJ, Huang CJ, Hung CL, Kao SC, Lin CF, Hsieh SS, Hung TM. Muscular fitness, motor competence, and processing speed in preschool children. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2019.1661835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jung Tsai
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
| | - Chung-Ju Huang
- Graduate Institute of Sport Pedagogy, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
| | - Chiao-Ling Hung
- Department of Athletics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
| | - Shih-Chun Kao
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Chi-Fang Lin
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
| | - Shu-Shih Hsieh
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tsung-Min Hung
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
- Institute for Research Excellence in Learning Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
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Hsieh SS, Tsai JR, Chang SH, Cheng CF, Sung YT, Hung TM. The Relations between 3-year Changes in Physical Fitness and Academic Performance in Nationally Representative Sample of Junior High School Students. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15978. [PMID: 30374046 PMCID: PMC6206081 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34370-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between different components of physical fitness across 3 years of junior high school with academic performance assessed at the end of the period. Two nationwide representative datasets were used. The first was the physical fitness profile assessed at the beginning of each of the three school years. The second contained the scores on a standardized test administered at the end of the third year. All data were standardized by calculating percentile rank (PR). Students were classified as "High-fit" if their fitness scores ≧ top 25% PR on the age- and sex-adjusted norms. All other students were classified as "not high-fit". The relationships between fitness and exam performance were tested adjusting for sex, body mass index, and level of urbanization. Students who were in the high-fit group in both years 1 and 3 academically outperformed those who were outside this classification during both assessments. The degree of outperformance was greatest for those who were aerobically fit, followed by those who were high-fit in terms of muscular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility, respectively. It is therefore concluded that the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance in Taiwanese junior high school students is strongest in the case of aerobic fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Shih Hsieh
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ren Tsai
- Department of Statistics and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Hsi Chang
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Fu Cheng
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Ting Sung
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Min Hung
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute for Research Excellence in Learning Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Fitness and academic performance in adolescents. The mediating role of leptin: DADOS study. Eur J Pediatr 2018; 177:1555-1563. [PMID: 30046894 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-018-3213-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED We tested the mediating effect of leptin on the association between physical fitness (PF) components and academic performance indicators in healthy adolescents. A total of 263 adolescents (13.9 ± 0.3 years, 47.5% girls, 12.5% overweight) from the DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) Study were included in the analysis. PF components were assessed by the handgrip test for upper-limb muscular strength, standing long jump test for lower-limb muscular strength, 4 × 10-m shuttle run test for speed-agility, and 20-m shuttle run test for cardiorespiratory fitness. Plasma leptin concentration was assessed from antecubital vein blood after an overnight fast using a sensitive ELISA kit. Academic performance indicators were assessed through final school grades and through the Spanish version of the SRA Test of Educational Ability. Body composition was assessed by body mass index and skinfold thicknesses. Boot-strapped mediation procedures were performed and indirect effects with confidence intervals not including zero were interpreted as statistically significant. Our findings suggest that the positive associations observed between cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscular strength with academic performance indicators were mediated by leptin concentration after adjusting for sex, pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, and adiposity (percentage of mediation ranging from 54.61 to 82.02%). CONCLUSIONS Improvements on PF components, particularly in cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscular strength, might reduce leptin concentration with potential benefits on academic performance in adolescents, independently of adiposity. What is Known: • Academic performance is associated with physical fitness and leptin concentration in children and adolescents. • Fitness modulates leptin concentration levels, regardless of physical activity and adiposity. What is New: • Leptin concentration mediates the association of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength with academic performance in adolescents. • Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength might reduce leptin concentration levels enhancing academic performance.
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Aske DB, Chomitz VR, Liu X, Arsenault L, Bhalotra S, Acevedo-Garcia D. Relationship Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Weight Status, and Academic Performance: Longitudinal Evidence From 1 School District. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2018; 88:560-568. [PMID: 29992606 DOI: 10.1111/josh.12643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined the longitudinal relationship between cardiovascular fitness (CRF) and academic performance (AP) among students in a diverse public school district. Furthermore, we determined whether the relationship between CRF and AP varied by student sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS This study used data from 2005-2006 to 2008-2009. AP was assessed by Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) math (N = 1224) and English Language Arts (ELA) (N = 1248) z-scores. CRF was assessed by an age- and sex-adjusted 20-yard shuttle run (pass/fail). Multilevel growth models were used to estimate the relationship between MCAS z-scores and changes in grade, CRF, and weight status, controlling for student sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Students who passed the fitness test performed better on MCAS tests (ELA: .159, p < .001; Math: 0.346, p < .001) at each study wave relative to those who did not pass. The relationship between AP and fitness was attenuated for low socioeconomic status(ELA: -.111, p < .05) and minority (Math: black -0.249, p < .01; Latino -0.216, p < .01) students. CONCLUSIONS These results add to the literature highlighting the role of CRF as an important predictor of performance on standardized tests. More research is needed to understand the disparities experienced by low-income and minority students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Burke Aske
- Brandeis University, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, 415 South St. Mailstop 035, Waltham, MA 02453
| | - Virginia Rall Chomitz
- Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Brown Social Science Center, 415 South St. Mailstop, Waltham, MA 02453
| | - Lisa Arsenault
- Health Resources in Action, Inc., 95 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116
| | - Sarita Bhalotra
- Brandeis University, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, 415 South St. Mailstop 035, Waltham, MA 02453
| | - Dolores Acevedo-Garcia
- Institute for Child, Youth, and Family Policy, Brandeis University, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, 415 South St. Mailstop 035, Waltham, MA 02453
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Marques A, Santos DA, Hillman CH, Sardinha LB. How does academic achievement relate to cardiorespiratory fitness, self-reported physical activity and objectively reported physical activity: a systematic review in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Br J Sports Med 2017; 52:1039. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
ObjectiveThis report aimed to systematically review the evidence for a differential association between objective and self-reported physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesStudies were identified from searches in Embase, Education Resources Information Center, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTdiscus and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to December 2016.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesEligibility criteria included cross-sectional, longitudinal and interventional study designs. Outcomes included students’ school grade or a standardised test or measure of academic achievement. Explanatory variables were cardiorespiratory fitness and objective and self-reported physical activity. Inclusion criteria included school-aged children and adolescents aged–18 years (or students from primary to secondary school when student’s participants age was not described) and articles published in English, Portuguese or Spanish.ResultsA total of 51 articles met inclusion criteria: 41 cross-sectional, 2 intervention and 8 longitudinal studies. Results from 11 studies were inconsistent regarding the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and academic achievement. Ten of the 16 articles reported positive associations between self-reported physical activity and academic achievement. From the 22 studies that analysed the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and academic achievement, it was verified that they all generally support the beneficial effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on students’ academic achievement.ConclusionHigher cardiorespiratory fitness may be important to enhance children and adolescents’ health and, additionally, academic achievement. Due to a lack of consensus across studies, methodological issues associated with the assessment of physical activity should be considered when investigating physical activity and academic achievement.
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García-Hermoso A, Esteban-Cornejo I, Olloquequi J, Ramírez-Vélez R. Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscular Strength as Mediators of the Influence of Fatness on Academic Achievement. J Pediatr 2017; 187:127-133.e3. [PMID: 28526219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the combined association of fatness and physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF] and muscular strength) with academic achievement, and to determine whether CRF and muscular strength are mediators of the association between fatness and academic achievement in a nationally representative sample of adolescents from Chile. STUDY DESIGN Data were obtained for a sample of 36 870 adolescents (mean age, 13.8 years; 55.2% boys) from the Chilean System for the Assessment of Educational Quality test for eighth grade in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Physical fitness tests included CRF (20-m shuttle run) and muscular strength (standing long jump). Weight, height, and waist circumference were assessed, and body mass index and waist circumference-to-height ratio were calculated. Academic achievement in language and mathematics was assessed using standardized tests. The PROCESS script developed by Hayes was used for mediation analysis. RESULTS Compared with unfit and high-fatness adolescents, fit and low-fatness adolescents had significantly higher odds for attaining high academic achievement in language and mathematics. However, in language, unfit and low-fatness adolescents did not have significantly higher odds for obtaining high academic achievement. Those with high fatness had higher academic achievement (both language and mathematics) if they were fit. Linear regression models suggest a partial or full mediation of physical fitness in the association of fatness variables with academic achievement. CONCLUSIONS CRF and muscular strength may attenuate or even counteract the adverse influence of fatness on academic achievement in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio García-Hermoso
- Physical Activity, Sport and Health Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Irene Esteban-Cornejo
- Promoting Fitness and Health Through Physical Activity Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jordi Olloquequi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | - Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
- Center of Studies in Physical Activity Measurements, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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