Associations between physical fitness and academic performance in teenagers

Abstract

The aim was to examine the associations between physical fitness and academic performance (AP) in Spanish teenagers and to identify the cut-off point in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), speed-agility (S/A), and muscular strength (MS) as predictors of AP. The sample consisted of 2272 teenagers aged 12-17 years. ALPHA-fitness tests were used. AP was measured with the grades for physical education (PE), and Mathematics and Language (M&L). Binary logistic regression was applied after controlling for age, socio-economic status and Body Mass Index (BMI). Females and males above 3.60 and 6.75 stages in the CRF test showed a higher probability of high average of M&L (OR=2.441 and 1.715, respectively, p<0.009). Only the females with S/A below 12.67 seconds had 1.45 times higher probability to achieve a high performance in M&L (OR=0.682, p=0.034). Finally, only the females with MS above 123cm had a higher probability to achieve a high performance in M&L (OR=2.129, p<0.001). Females with high CRF, S/A and MS, and males with high CRF showed better AP regardless of confounders. It is suggested to encourage young students towards a greater participation effort during fitness programmes, and to inform parents and students about the relationship with AP.

Keywords: Cardiorespiratory fitness; Cognition; Muscular strength; Socio-economic status; Speed-Agility