Academic Achievement and Physical Activity: The Ideal Relationship to Promote a Healthier Lifestyle in Adolescents

Background: School environment provides several intervention opportunities for physical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between objectively assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and academic achievement in adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 301 students aged between 13 and 15 years (46.51% boys), enrolled at 7 secondary schools in the city of Huesca (Spain). Participants wore accelerometers during a 7-day period, and their academic achievement was calculated from the average marks of all subjects. Structural equation modeling and quadratic regression analysis were performed to test both linear and nonlinear explanatory models. One-way analysis of variance was also performed to explore the effect of gender and the percentage of compliance with MVPA recommendations. Results: MVPA on weekdays and higher levels of body mass index were negatively associated with academic achievement. According to the curvilinear relationship, those students whose MVPA levels were closer to the daily recommendation were more likely to obtain higher academic achievement. However, a significant association was only shown in the case of boys. Conclusions: Adolescents who satisfy the international recommendations tend to obtain better academic achievement. Therefore, MVPA for adolescents should be prescribed within some beneficial time margins (50–70 min/d).

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Perceptions of the Neighborhood Environment and Children’s Afterschool Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.2014-0139 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 243-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Samantha McDonald ◽

Marsha Dowda ◽

Natalie Colabianchi ◽

Dwayne Porter ◽

Rod K. Dishman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Parent Support ◽

Neighborhood Environment ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Outdoor Activity ◽

Child Perception ◽

The Relationship ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Previous research suggests the neighborhood environment may be an important influence on children’s physical activity (PA) behaviors; however, findings are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to further understand the relationship between perceptions of the neighborhood environment and children’s afterschool moderate-to-vigorous PA. Utilizing a structural equation modeling technique, we tested a conceptual model linking parent and child perceptions of the neighborhood environment, parent support for PA, and child outdoor PA with children’s afterschool moderate-to vigorous PA. We found that child perception of the neighborhood environment and outdoor PA were positively associated with afterschool moderate-to-vigorous PA. In addition, parent support for PA positively influenced children’s outdoor PA. The neighborhood environment and outdoor activity appear to play an influential role on children’s afterschool PA behaviors.

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Physical Activity as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Race or Ethnicity and Changes in Multimorbidity

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1098 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 342-342

Author(s):

Jason Newsom ◽

Emily Denning ◽

Ana Quinones ◽

Miriam Elman ◽

Anda Botoseneanu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sex Education ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Insurance Coverage ◽

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Later Life ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

The Relationship ◽

Racial Ethnic

Abstract Racial/ethnic disparities in multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) and their rate of accumulation over time have been established. Studies report differences in physical activity across racial/ethnic groups. We investigated whether racial/ethnic differences in accumulation of multimorbidity over a 10-year period (2004-2014) were mediated by physical activity using data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 10,724, mean age = 63.5 years). Structural equation modeling was used to estimate a latent growth curve model of changes in the number of self-reported chronic conditions (of nine) and investigate whether the relationship of race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White) to change in the number of chronic conditions was mediated by physical activity after controlling for age, sex, education, marital status, personal wealth, and insurance coverage. Results indicated that Blacks engaged in significantly lower levels of physical activity than Whites (b = -.171, □ = -.153, p < .001), but there were no differences between Hispanics and Whites (b = -.010, □ = -.008, ns). Physical activity also significantly predicted both lower initial levels of multimorbidity (b = -1.437, □ = -.420, p < .001) and greater decline in multimorbidity (b = -.039, □ = -.075, p < .001). The indirect (mediational) effect for the Black vs. White comparison was significant (b = .007, □ = .011, 95% CI [.004,.010]). These results provide important new information for understanding how modifiable lifestyle factors may help explain disparities in multimorbidity in middle and later life, suggesting greater need to reduce sedentary behavior and increase activity.

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Perceived discrimination and psychological distress among immigrants to Canada: The mediating role of bicultural identity orientations

Group Processes & Intergroup Relations ◽

10.1177/1368430221990082 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136843022199008

Author(s):

Mustafa Firat ◽

Kimberly A. Noels

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Perceived Discrimination ◽

The Other ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Bicultural Identity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediating Role ◽

The Relationship

Bicultural identity orientations have rarely been examined in relation to both perceived discrimination and psychological distress. Furthermore, these constructs have usually been studied in isolation, but their intersection is essential for understanding intercultural relations in multicultural societies. Using cross-sectional data from 1,143 Canadian undergraduate students from immigrant families, this study explored the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological distress, and how bicultural identity orientations might mediate this relationship. The structural equation modeling results indicated that perceived discrimination was associated with higher levels of psychological distress and hybrid, monocultural, alternating, and conflicted orientations, but lower levels of complementary orientation. Alternating and conflicted orientations were related to higher psychological distress, whereas the other orientations were not. Alternating and conflicted orientations mediated the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological distress, whereas the other orientations did not. The findings are discussed in light of theories on identity integration, rejection–identification, and acculturation.

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The Positive Relationship between Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Bone Mineral Content Is Not Mediated by Free Leptin Index in Prepubertal Children: The PANIC Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5365

Author(s):

Annie M. Constable ◽

Josie E. Porter ◽

Danielle Benger ◽

Dimitris Vlachopoulos ◽

Alan R. Barker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Bone Mineral Content ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Mineral Content ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prepubertal Children ◽

Total Body ◽

The Relationship

Purpose: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) positively influences bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubertal children, but it is unknown whether this relationship is partially mediated by free leptin index. The aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between MVPA and total body less head (TBLH) BMC is mediated or moderated by free leptin index in prepubertal children. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis on 401 children (194 girls) from baseline examinations of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Childhood Study. We applied the four-way decomposition mediation analysis method to assess whether free leptin index, measured from fasted blood samples, mediated the relationship between accelerometer-measured MVPA and TBLH BMC measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: MVPA had a positive controlled direct effect on TBLH BMC in girls and boys (β = 0.010 to 0.011, p < 0.05). There was no mediation or interaction between MVPA, free leptin index and TBLH BMC in girls or boys (β = −0.000 to 0.001, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study indicates that MVPA positively influences TBLH BMC through pathways not related to free leptin index in predominantly normal-weight prepubertal children, likely primarily through mechanical loading. The relationships between MVPA, free leptin index and TBLH BMC may be influenced by other factors such as pubertal status and adiposity, so it is unknown whether these observations extend to overweight and obese children at different stages of puberty.

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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

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2016-097361 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (16) ◽

pp. 1039-1039 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Adilson Marques ◽

Diana A Santos ◽

Charles H Hillman ◽

Luís B Sardinha

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Academic Achievement ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

The Relationship

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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Evidence-Based Overview of Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity during School Recess: An Updated Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020578 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 578

Author(s):

Sergio Pulido Sánchez ◽

Damián Iglesias Gallego

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

School Environment ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Extraction Process ◽

Intervention Programs ◽

World Health ◽

After School ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active

Interest in analyzing physically active behaviors during school recesses has grown in recent years as the school environment has consolidated (recess, physical education classes, lunch-time, before and after school) as a crucial space to bring these levels towards those recommended through intervention programs and improvements in the school environment. Unfortunately, in most of these studies, children do not achieve the 60 min a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommended by the World Health Organization. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies objectively measured with accelerometers that have emerged in recent years to determine the amount of MVPA of children at recess. This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The extraction process for the studies included in this systematic review yielded a total of 43 articles. The studies were classified according to the methodological nature of the research: cross-sectional (n = 34), longitudinal (n = 3) and quasi-experimental (n = 6). The results of the studies confirm that during the recess period younger children are physically more active than older ones and that in general, boys are more physically active than girls. In addition, the data show that the school contributes to more than 40% of the total MVPA. The intervention programs led to an increase in MVPA of up to 5%. Providing schools with equipment and facilities shows that intervention programs are beneficial for raising children’s levels of physical activity.

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Stereotype threat and older worker’s attitudes: a mediation model

Personnel Review ◽

10.1108/pr-11-2016-0306 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 187-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eduardo Oliveira ◽

Carlos Cabral Cardoso

Keyword(s):

Stereotype Threat ◽

Older Workers ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Work Attitudes ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Mediation Model ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Negative Work ◽

The Relationship

Purpose Taking a social identity approach, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which age-based stereotype threat mediates the relationships between older workers’ negative age-based metastereotypes and two negative work attitudes: organizational disidentification and work disengagement. Design/methodology/approach A two-wave cross-sectional design was adopted to collect data from 423 blue-collar older workers of the Portuguese manufacturing sector. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediation model. Findings The analyses show that age-based stereotype threat partially mediates the relationship between negative age-based metastereotypes and negative work attitudes. Moreover, findings suggest that older workers respond to negative age-based metastereotypes through threat reactions, and undesirable work attitudes. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature by showing the importance of negative age-based metastereotypes and age-based stereotype threat in workplace dynamics. It also provides evidence that age threats impair the relationship older workers keep with their organization and their work.

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Psychological Capital and Family Satisfaction among Employees: Do Occupational Stressors Moderate the Relationship?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182212260 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 12260

Author(s):

Oi-Ling Siu ◽

Qianting Kong ◽

Ting-Kin Ng

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Capital ◽

Positive Association ◽

Family Satisfaction ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Occupational Stressors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Personal Resource ◽

The Relationship

The COVID-19 pandemic has created more occupational stressors, particularly work–family interface issues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating role of occupational stressors in the relationship between a personal resource (psychological capital) and family satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 787 employees (367 males, 420 females) from the Greater Bay Area of China between October and November 2020. Participants completed an online survey which included the Chinese version of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, measures of occupational stressors from the Work Stress Management DIY Kit and a measure of family satisfaction. Latent moderated structural equation modeling revealed that family satisfaction was positively associated with psychological capital and negatively associated with occupational stressors. Furthermore, occupational stressors weakened the positive association between psychological capital and family satisfaction. These findings provided empirical evidence for the work–home resources model and may suggest that it would be beneficial to boost psychological capital and reduce occupational stressors of employees.

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A Network Perspective on the Relationship Between Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Fundamental Motor Skills in Early Childhood

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0218 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Thaynã Alves Bezerra ◽

Paulo Felipe Ribeiro Bandeira ◽

Anastácio Neco de Souza Filho ◽

Cain Craig Truman Clark ◽

Jorge Augusto Pinto Silva Mota ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Older Children ◽

Activity Data ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nonlinear Characteristics ◽

Main Variable ◽

The Relationship

Background: The relationship between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and fundamental motor skill (FMS) is inconsistent in early childhood, due to its complex and nonlinear characteristics. This study aimed to analyze the nonlinear relationships between MVPA, FMS, body mass index (BMI), sex, and age in preschoolers. Methods: This cross-sectional study with preschoolers (n = 204; 4.0 [0.8] y old; 99 boys), provided objective physical activity data, FMS assessments, and BMI. The associations between MVPA, FMS, BMI, sex, and age were explored using the network analysis (RStudio and qgraph). Results: Boys were more motor competent than girls in all FMS skills, while girls were more active than boys during the weekend. Older children were less active than their younger peers during these days. MVPA is weak and differently related to each FMS, and the leap skill emerged with the highest betweenness and strength values in the network. Conclusions: For the assessed preschoolers, when considering BMI, age, and sex, the relationships between MVPA and FMS are inconsistent, and leap emerged as the main variable. During early childhood, these variables are connected as part of a complex system in which each skill has a dynamic role within the emerging pattern.

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The individual side of ambidexterity

Employee Relations ◽

10.1108/er-02-2018-0050 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 592-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrés Salas Vallina ◽

Maria D. Moreno-Luzon ◽

Anna Ferrer-Franco

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Exploration And Exploitation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Learning Capability ◽

Content Type ◽

Individual Level ◽

The Individual ◽

The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine whether inspirational leadership of heads of specialized medical units is related to individual ambidexterity of their dependent physicians; and second, to study the possible mediating role of organizational learning capability (OLC) in the relationship between inspirational leadership and individual ambidexterity.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was used on a sample of 194 medical specialists from Spanish public hospitals.FindingsResults show that inspirational leadership is positively related to individual ambidexterity among healthcare physicians. In addition, the results of the study revealed that the relationship between inspirational leadership and individual ambidexterity is mediated by conditions that facilitate learning, namely, OLC.Research limitations/implicationsThis study uses cross-sectional data, which do not guarantee causality relationships among the examined variables.Practical implicationsThe results of this paper suggest first that heads of healthcare units should inspire followers to achieve both exploration and exploitation. Second, it is also necessary to consider that inspirational leaders promote those conditions that facilitate learning, which should be particularly taken into account to enhance both physician’s exploration and exploitation.Originality/valueIn stressing an evident gap in the relationship between leadership and ambidexterity at the individual level, this paper attempts to advance in the leadership literature by revealing how the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions, and enhancing enthusiasm and confidence, empowers physicians to both explore and exploit knowledge. The results also indicate that the inspiration transmitted by the heads of medical services, facilitate physician’s perceived learning conditions which, in turn, fosters their individual ambidexterity.

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