Exercise and Academic Performance

Does a correlation between academic success and exercise exist?  Can primary, secondary and higher education positively impact students by continuing to offer physical education classes to support a student’s overall health and well being while concurrently achieving respective academic goals? Whether we are looking at student athletes’ success or recent studies comparing students’ that participated in physical activity classes to those who did not, we can safely say that it is not an anomaly that success rates are higher. Research has investigated the value of physical activity and sport and showed the results of those participating had a higher GPA. ¹

As previously discussed, research has demonstrated a positive influence of physical education on obesity, cardiovascular health, bone density, and other chronic health issues that are predominant in our nation today.  More recently we are seeing a direct correlation in improvement with success determinants such as self-esteem and cognitive function associated with participation in physical education classes.   

Acting in the health professional role, many of us have highlighted the dangers of obesity, diabetes and many other health concerns in an attempt to defend the need for physical education in our schools today.  However, it seems that these concerns are not sufficient for politicians and administrators who argue for the cutting of physical education programs. What do our lawmakers need to hear in order to elect action?  How can we convince this group of the real costs of cutting physical education? Will it make a difference if they realize that now research is not only linking obesity to health problems but also its effects have been shown to include negative outcomes on non-health related issues.   Will these individuals listen when research^2,3 is showing that obese students have academic outcomes significantly below those of more physically fit students?

There has been a tremendous amount of emphasis placed upon the negative consequences that obesity has on children and a very small emphasis of how physical fitness can play a positive role in regards to this problem.³ I think we need to focus on how participating in physical education classes and athletics gives more of an advantage in terms of academic outcomes. It is time that we build more depth into our physical education curriculum. We start by combining health and physical education curriculum in primary school and develop the information to continue throughout a child’s educations such as we do with English, math, and science. The time has come that health professionals takes a stance and become a leader in enacting a solution.

References:

1. Fox, C.K., Barr-Anderson, D., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Wall, M. (2010). Physical activity and sports team participation: Associations with academic outcomes in middle school and high school students. The Journal of School Health, 80(1), 31- 37. Retrieved August 5, 2010 from WilsonWeb database.

2. Kupechella, C.E. (2009). Colleges and Universities Should Give More Broad-Based Attention to Health and Wellness-At All Levels. Journal of American College Health (58)2, 185-186.

3. Londan, R.A., & Castrechini, S. (2009). Exploring the Link between Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement. Youth Data Archive Issue Brief: J.W.Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities Website