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Associations between physical fitness and academic performance in teenagers


Emilio J. Martínez-López
Alberto Grao-Cruces
Manuel J. De La Torre-Cruz
Alberto Ruiz-Ariza

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


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2960-2386
print ISSN: 0379-9069