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Physical fitness and academic performance in middle school students
Author(s) -
Bass Ronald W,
Brown Dale D,
Laurson Kelly R,
Coleman Margaret M
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12278
Subject(s) - physical fitness , aerobic exercise , test (biology) , medicine , reading (process) , academic achievement , fitness test , physical therapy , vo2 max , cardiovascular fitness , physical strength , aerobic capacity , gerontology , mathematics education , psychology , heart rate , blood pressure , biology , paleontology , political science , law
Aim The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical fitness is linked to academic success in middle school students. Methods The FITNESSGRAM test battery assessed students (n = 838) in the five components of health‐related fitness. The Illinois Standardized Achievement Test ( ISAT ) was used to assess academic achievement in reading and math. Results The largest correlations were seen for aerobic fitness and muscular endurance (ranging from 0.12 to 0.27, all p < 0.05). Boys in the Healthy Fitness Zone ( HFZ ) for aerobic fitness or muscular endurance were 2.5–3 times more likely to pass their math or reading exams. Girls in the HFZ for aerobic fitness were approximately 2–4 times as likely to meet or exceed reading and math test standards. Conclusions Aerobic capacity and muscular endurance seem to positively affect academic achievement in middle school students.