The association of context-specific sitting time and physical activity intensity to working memory capacity and academic achievement in young adults

Abstract

MPA may benefit working memory; however, specific domains of leisure-time sedentary behavior may have an unfavorable influence on working memory and academic performance regardless of time spent in PA.

Lifestyle Habits Predict Academic Performance in High School Students: The Adolescent Student Academic Performance Longitudinal Study (ASAP)

“…For example, Kantonomaa et al [54] observed that viewing television less than one hour per day and using computer and video games less than one hour per day were both associated with a higher academic performance in a sample of 8061 adolescents of 15 and 16 years old. In contrast, a study conducted in 371 undergraduate students reported that screen time on both WD and WE was not related with working memory, however, more than 3 h of screen time per day on WD was negatively associated with academic performance [55]. Furthermore, ∆s in sleeping habits were associated with ∆s in academic performance in both genders (with r values up to 0.49), whereas ∆s in eating habits and in studying time were correlated with ∆s in academic performance only in male students (with r values up to 0.43 and r = 0.38, respectively).…”

Physical health and well-being in children and youth

“…Similarly, television viewing is significantly associated with an increased risk for overweight, indeed with every additional hour of time spent watching television, there is an estimated 20% increased risk of overweight among adolescents (Knutson and Lauderdale, 2007) This risk estimate reflects the relationship between television viewing, poor dietary habits and inadequate physical activity, that is television viewing does not independently cause overweight and obesity (Felez-Nobrega, Hillman, Cirera, and Puig-Ribera, 2017). Although proportion of screen time can directly influence cognitive outcomes, with some studies identifying a reduced working memory and a reduced probability of engaging in physical activity as a result of time spent in front of a screen (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017). At a more conceptual level, despite the continued advancement of technology and it use in the classroom environment, little is known about how this exposure affects the physical health and development of children and adults.…”

“…The influence of physical health on education and participation in the workforce and society is widely documented. Consequences of poor physical health are usually expressed in large proportions of time away from school and work, or decreased productivity while at school and work (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017). Healthy lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity are associated with productivity, for instance moderate physical activity is positively associated with improvements in working memory (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017).…”

“…Consequences of poor physical health are usually expressed in large proportions of time away from school and work, or decreased productivity while at school and work (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017). Healthy lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity are associated with productivity, for instance moderate physical activity is positively associated with improvements in working memory (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017). There is also a relationship between physical activity and academic performance, this is stronger among young children, compared with adults (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017).…”

“…Healthy lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity are associated with productivity, for instance moderate physical activity is positively associated with improvements in working memory (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017). There is also a relationship between physical activity and academic performance, this is stronger among young children, compared with adults (Felez-Nobrega et al, 2017).…”