Do Physically Literate Adolescents Have Better Academic Performance?

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangli Gu ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Tsz Lun (Alan) Chu ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhang ◽  
Katherine Thomas Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Standardized Test ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Literacy ◽  
Motor Competence

This study examined the relationship between physical literacy (i.e., motor competence, physical activity, and health-related fitness) and academic performance (i.e., executive function, class attendance, and standardized test scores) among adolescents. Second, we investigated whether these relationships differ between boys and girls using a structural invariable test. Using a prospective research design, we recruited 330 adolescents (154 boys and 176 girls; Mage = 12.52 years, SD = 0.86) in Texas and conducted correlational analyses, finding that physical literacy variables were significantly related to executive function (while the rs range was from −.16 to −.30, the high scores on the instrument we used, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, indicate higher risks for executive dysfunction; p < .01) and positively associated with school attendance ( rs range from .19 to .34; p < .05). Structural equation models supported the significant direct and indirect effects of motor competence on executive function and school attendance for boys and girls through physical fitness (all three components) and school-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, respectively. The structural invarince test indicated noninvariant models (based on path coefficients) between girls and boys ( p < .01). Embracing psychomotor associations with physical literacy may be a promising way to elicit behavioral change in physical fitness and create a behavioral channel to academic success for adolescents.

scholarly journals Physical Fitness, Grit, School Attendance, and Academic Performance among Adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Cosgrove ◽  
Yen T. Chen ◽  
Darla M. Castelli
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Urban Minority ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of grit as a construct representing perseverance to overcoming barriers and the total number of school absences to academic performance (AP) while controlling for sociodemographics, fitness (i.e., PACER), and Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods. Adolescents (N = 397, SD = 1.85; 80.9% females; 77.1% Hispanic) from an urban, minority-majority city in the Southern United States completed the FitnessGram® assessment of physical fitness (e.g., aerobic capacity and Body Mass Index (BMI)) and the valid and reliable short grit survey. The schools provided sociodemographics, attendance, and AP data for the adolescents. Results. Adolescents with higher grit scores (rs=0.21, P < 0.001) and less total absences (rs=-0.35, P < 0.001) performed better on AP. Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that grit and absences were associated with AP (β = 0.13, P < 0.01 and β = −0.35, P < 0.001, resp.). Conclusions. Grit and a total number of absences are significant contributors to academic success, particularly among Hispanic adolescents. Further, grit and school attendance may serve as a better measure of protective factors over proximal health measures of cardiovascular health and BMI.

scholarly journals Physical Fitness and Motor Competence in Chinese and German Elementary School Children in Relation to Different Physical Activity Settings

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
Andreas Hohmann ◽  
Xinchi Yuan ◽  
Manfred Schmitt ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Micha Pietzonka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Motor Competence ◽  
Activity Settings ◽  
School Sport ◽  
One Year ◽  
Club Sport

(1) Background: Children with greater physical activity (PA) may show a higher physical fitness (PF) and motor competence (MC) compared to peers with less PA. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), PF, and MC in 8- to 9-year old children in Germany and China. MVPA was differentiated into five PA settings: family sport, club training, school sport, leisure sport, and outside play. (2) Methods: This longitudinal study comprised N = 577 children (n = 311 girls, n = 266 boys) who were studied over a one-year period. Each child’s PF and MC was determined using sports motor tests. The children’s PAs were measured using a questionnaire. (3) Results: The children’s PA was positively associated with PF and MC. The MVPA-settings: family sport, leisure sport, outside play, school, and club sport, explained between 18 and 23 percent of the variance in selected PF and MC characteristics in a multivariate linear regression analysis. (4) Conclusions: An increase in the children’s MVPA might be an appropriate aim in the school sport in Germany as well as in the club sport system in China. Furthermore, family sport should be enhanced in Germany and outside play activities in China, respectively.

The Relations Between Physical Activity Level, Executive Function, and White Matter Microstructure in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Marissa A. Gogniat ◽  
Catherine M. Mewborn ◽  
Talia L. Robinson ◽  
Kharine R. Jean ◽  
L. Stephen Miller
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Age Related

The population of older adults is increasing, indicating a need to examine factors that may prevent or mitigate age-related cognitive decline. The current study examined whether microstructural white matter characteristics mediated the relation between physical activity and executive function in older adults without any self-reported psychiatric and neurological disorders or cognitive impairment (N = 43, mean age = 73 y). Physical activity was measured by average intensity and number of steps via accelerometry. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to examine microstructural white matter characteristics, and neuropsychological testing was used to examine executive functioning. Parallel mediation models were analyzed using microstructural white matter regions of interest as mediators of the association between physical activity and executive function. Results indicated that average steps was significantly related to executive function (β = 0.0003, t = 2.829, P = .007), while moderate to vigorous physical activity was not (β = 0.0007, t = 1.772, P = .08). White matter metrics did not mediate any associations. This suggests that microstructural white matter characteristics alone may not be the mechanism by which physical activity impacts executive function in aging.

scholarly journals Long-Term and Transfer Effects of an Action Control Intervention in Overweight Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Text Messages

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina Berli ◽  
Urte Scholz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Action Control ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Control Intervention

Keeping a physically active lifestyle requires consistent self-regulatory effort such as action control (e.g., continuously monitoring and evaluating a behavior in terms of one’s goals). Involving the romantic partner in interventions might be particularly effective in the long run. The present study examined the long-term and transfer effects of an action control intervention in couples using text messaging for promoting target persons’ and partners’ physical activity, anthropometric measures and physical fitness 6 months post baseline. A total of 121 overweight and obese romantic couples, randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 60; information + action control text messages) or a control group (n = 61; information only) and to participating as target person or partner, completed baseline assessments (T1). 100 couples (82.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up (T3) assessment. Primary outcomes included self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and objective MVPA and MVPA adherence using triaxial accelerometers across a diary period of 14 days after T3. Secondary outcomes included BMI, waist-to-hip circumference and physical fitness (target persons only) using a submaximal aerobic cycle test. At T3, there were no significant between-group differences between target persons and partners with regard to their objective MVPA, self-reported MVPA, BMI, waist-hip ratio or physical fitness. No significant changes in outcomes were observed from T1 to T3; however, changes in BMI from T1 to T3 between target persons and partners in the intervention group were associated. Overall, the brief 14-days action control intervention was not effective in improving target person’s physical activity, body measures and physical fitness in the long-term. Moreover, no long-term benefits for partners emerged. While brief ecological momentary interventions might be a promising tool for short-term effects, future studies are needed to test features enhancing long-term effectiveness. Associations in romantic partners’ changes suggest that dyadic interventions can be a promising approach, as changes induced in one partner may then transfer over to the other (controlled-trials.com ISRCTN15705531).

Associations of Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement Among Illinois High School Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Marie Weemer ◽  
Olabode Ayodele
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Relationship

The health benefits of physical activity are empirically supported and well accepted. However, the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and academic performance remains to be clearly established. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement among a sample of Illinois high school students. Analyses were based on the 2016–2017 school year Archival Fitnessgram physical fitness test scores and cumulative GPAs of ninth- through twelfth-grade students (N = 371). Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance. Multiple linear regression predicted students’ academic achievement. There was a positive association between total fitness and academic achievement, although not statistically significant, r (369) = .002, p = .49. The regression prediction model was statistically significant (p < .001) and accounted for approximately 25% of the variance in academic achievement (R2 = .256, adjusted R2 = .246). Academic achievement was predicted by total number of absences and gender, and to a lesser extent by socio­economic status, the curl-up, and ethnicity. The findings of this study suggest a positive association between physical fitness and academic achievement. These results are potentially relevant to the development of future education policies. Thus, policy makers, school administrators, and educators must use the knowledge gained in this study, along with existing research, as evidence to emphasize the importance of the fitness–academic link, to further support the need for quality physical education curriculum and mandated physical fitness testing.

Young Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Children’s Fundamental Motor Competence and Physical Activity Behaviors

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangli Gu ◽  
Senlin Chen ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Hispanic Children ◽  
Motor Competence ◽  
Object Control ◽  
School Based ◽  
Activity Promotion

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between fundamental motor skills (FMS; including locomotor and object-control skills), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior among young Hispanic and non-Hispanic children. Using the prospective research design spanning one academic school year, we recruited 671 children (6.96 ± 1.6 years, 46% girls) from four primary schools in North Texas, 300 of whom were Hispanic and 371 non-Hispanic children, with 90% of the Hispanic and 74% of the non-Hispanic children from low-income families. All participants completed the PE Metrics™ FMS assessment and wore Actical accelerometers. Hispanic children demonstrated a lower level of MVPA on school days than their non-Hispanic peers. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, both locomotor and object-control skills significantly predicted school-based MVPA for the non-Hispanic groups, while only object-control skills significantly predicted MVPA for the Hispanic group. For both ethnic groups, locomotor skills significantly predicted school-based sedentary behavior. The findings shed light on future motor competence–based interventions for physical activity promotion and obesity prevention among young Hispanic as well as non-Hispanic children.

Physical Activity, Fitness, and Adiposity of Prepubertal Girls

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennart Raudsepp ◽  
Toivo Jürimäe
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Physical Activity Recall ◽  
Prepubertal Girls

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between physical activity and physical fitness and adiposity in a sample of 77 girls, aged 10–11 years. Physical activity was assessed by 7-day physical activity recall by which children reported how much time they spent on low and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities. Physical fitness was measured by EUROFIT test battery. Adiposity was estimated by sum of five skinfolds. The main finding of the study was that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and adiposity were significant predictors (with 16–34% accounted variance) of physical fitness tests where the body mass affects performance. Indicators of physical activity and adiposity were not significantly related with fitness items requiring muscular strength, balance, flexibility, and speed of limb movement. Furthermore, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and aerobic fitness predicted 22% of variance in adiposity in girls.

A comparison of physical activity, physical fitness levels, BMI and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disability, who do and do not take part in Special Olympics Ireland programmes: Results from the SOPHIE study

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Walsh ◽  
Sarahjane Belton ◽  
Sarah Meegan ◽  
Kirsty Bowers ◽  
Deidre Corby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Special Olympics ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fitness Levels

People with an intellectual disability are less physically active, live more sedentary lives, have lower fitness levels and are more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population. No evidence exists on the impact of participation in Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) on physical activity and physical fitness levels. Adults with intellectual disabilities (16–64 years) were recruited from services and SOI clubs. Physical measures included waist circumference, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and 6-min walking test. Self-report questionnaires gathered data on physical activity levels. Actigraph (GT3X) accelerometers were used to gain an objective measure of physical activity. SOI participants accumulated more moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, had higher fitness levels and more positive health profile scores than those not taking part in SOI. SOI has the potential to make a positive difference to people’s physical health and subsequently their overall health and well-being.

Physical Education and Academic Performance in Urban African American Girls

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Shen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
African American Girls ◽  
Learning Engagement ◽  
Activity Involvement ◽  
Quantitative Analyses

This study was designed to examine urban African American girls’ participation in physical education and its association with academic performance. One hundred eighty four participants completed questionnaires assessing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and learning engagement in physical education while their academic performance was based on individual grades in core academic classes. Quantitative analyses revealed that physical education played a critical role in enhancing physical activity involvement, and vigorous physical activity and learning engagement were significant predictors of academic performance. Findings suggest that besides the contribution to health promotion, African American girls’ participation in physical education may facilitate academic performance.

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