Fitness,physical activity and academic achievement in overweight/obese children |
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| Authors: | Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez Jairo H Migueles Irene Esteban-Cornejo Jose Mora-Gonzalez Pontus Henriksson María Rodriguez-Ayllon |
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| Institution: | 1. PROFITH “Promoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group,Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spaincadenas@ugr.es https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4513-9108;3. PROFITH “Promoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group,Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spainhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0366-6935;4. PROFITH “Promoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group,Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain;5. Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USAhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0027-1770;6. PROFITH “Promoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group,Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spainhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2346-8776;7. Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden;8. Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Link?ping University, Link?ping, Swedenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2482-7048 |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine the associations of fitness and physical activity with academic achievement in children with overweight/obesity. A total of 106 (10.0 ± 1.1y, 61 boys) children participated. The fitness components were assessed by field and laboratory-based tests. Physical activity was measured via accelerometry. The academic achievement was assessed by a standardised test and school-grades. Field-based cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with language skills (ß-standardised- ranging from 0.281 to 0.365, p < 0.01). The field-based muscular strength was associated with grade point average, natural and social sciences, and foreign language (ß = 0.280–0.326, all p ≤ 0.01). Speed-agility was associated with some language-related skills (ß = 0.325–0.393, all p ≤ 0.01). The laboratory-based muscular strength also showed an association with mathematics skills (ß = 0.251–0.306, all p ≤ 0.01). Physical activity did not show significant association with academic achievement (p > 0.01). Overall, the significant associations observed for muscular strength and speed/agility were attenuated and disappeared in many cases after additional adjustments for body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness, indicating that these associations are inter-dependent. Our study contributes by indicating that other fitness components apart from cardiorespiratory fitness, such as muscular strength and speed-agility, are positively associated with academic achievement. However, these associations appear to be dependent on body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness. |
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| Keywords: | Aerobic fitness academic performance light physical activity moderate physical activity vigorous physical activity moderate-to-vigorous physical activity |
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4513-9108;3. PROFITH “Promoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group,Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain