Physical Activity and Sports Participation Associates With Cognitive Functioning and Academic Progression: An Analysis Using the Combined 2017–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and joint associations between physical activity (PA) and sports participation on academic performance variables within a representative sample of children and adolescents. Methods: Data were analyzed from the combined 2017–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health. Household addresses were randomly selected within each US state. One household parent answered health and wellness questions pertaining to one randomly selected household child (N = 37,392; 48.1% female; 6- to 17-y old). Weighted logistic regression models were employed to examine the independent and joint associations between child PA frequency and sports participation with academic performance variables, adjusting for child- and family-level covariates. Results: Child PA frequency independently associated with 37% to 46% lower odds and child sports participation independently associated with 53% lower odds of reported difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions (P < .001). For children who participated in sports, PA associated with 47% to 56% lower odds of ever repeating a grade level (P = .01). Conclusions: Frequency of weekly PA and sports participation independently and negatively associated with difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions, whereas the negative association between PA and ever repeating a grade level differed by child sports participation status.

Meeting 24-h Movement Guidelines is Related to Better Academic Achievement: Findings from the YRBS 2019 Cycle

“…Interestingly, our study also revealed that meeting the PA guidelines alone was not related to better AA. This research finding is inconsistent with prior research [43][44][45]. However, we further found that meeting combinations of either ST or sleep guidelines and PA guidelines was related to better AA.…”

To Be a Sportsman? Sport Participation Is Associated With Optimal Academic Achievement in a Nationally Representative Sample of High School Students

“…Behavioral covariates-Based on the previous studies ( 17 , 18 , 22 – 27 ), some selected behavioral factors were covariates of this study. Study participants answered an item that asked: “Over the last week, how many days did you spend on sports exercises for at least 60 minutes per day?”.…”

“…For example Burns et al ( 16 ) used data of a nationally representative sample that exhibited a positive dose-dependent relationship between participation in team sports and academic performance (self-reported A's and B's). In addition Burns et al ( 17 ) indicated that adolescents with sports participation were likely to report better academic performances. The cross-sectional evidence confirmed the positive roles of sports participation on academic performance.…”

Efectos de la actividad física durante las clases sobre la alfabetización motriz: una revisión sistemática (Effects of class-based physical activity in physical literacy: a systematic review)

“…El juego y la actividad física (AF) pueden producir mejoras en el rendimiento académico, ya que el alumnado que realiza AF y deporte regularmente durante la niñez presenta un 40-50% menos de probabilidad de tener dificultades para concentrarse, repetir curso y más opciones de retener lo estudiado y tomar decisiones (Burns et al, 2020). Pese a los beneficios asociados a la realización de AF, el volumen de tiempo extraescolar sedentario que el alumnado pasa, por ejemplo, delante de las pantallas es cada vez mayor (Valencia-Peris et al, 2016).…”