Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Physical fitness predicts subsequent improvement in academic achievement: differential patterns depending on pupils' age

Published inSustainability, vol. 12, no. 21, 8874
Publication date2020
Abstract

We investigated the longitudinal relationship between physical fitness (flexibility, functional strength, and running speed-agility components) and subsequent change in academic achievement across one school year. We also examined whether this longitudinal relationship differed as a function of pupils' age, controlling for sex, body mass index, and socioeconomic status. Academic achievement in terms of marks in Portuguese and mathematics was recorded from 142 pupils (M = 14.59 years; SD = 1.99, range 11–18), between autumn 2017 and summer 2018. The physical fitness components, including flexibility, functional strength, and running speed-agility, were assessed at the baseline (i.e., at the beginning of the school year). Latent change score modelling revealed that higher physical fitness level at baseline significantly predicted a subsequent improvement in academic achievement across the school year. This longitudinal relationship was significantly stronger in younger compared to older pupils. Physical fitness and its interaction with age predicted 45.7% of the variance in the change in academic achievement. In conclusion, a better physical fitness profile including flexibility, functional strength, and running speed-agility explains a subsequent improvement in academic achievement. This longitudinal relationship seems to be age-dependent.

Keywords
  • Physical conditioning
  • Academic success
  • Youth
  • Physical education
Citation (ISO format)
GOUVEIA, Élvio Rúbio et al. Physical fitness predicts subsequent improvement in academic achievement: differential patterns depending on pupils” age. In: Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, n° 21, p. 8874. doi: 10.3390/su12218874
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Additional URL for this publicationhttps://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/21/8874
Journal ISSN2071-1050
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