Do Physical Fitness and Executive Function Mediate the Relationship between Physical Activity and Academic Achievement? An Examination Using Structural Equation Modelling

Abstract

Background: Physical activity health benefits are widely known. However, the association between physical activity, physical fitness, executive function, and academic performance need further investigation. Additionally, one of the literature gaps reveals scarce and mixed findings on what mediators of physical activity may affect academic achievement. Purpose: This investigation aims to provide knowledge about the mediation role of physical fitness and executive function in the association of physical activity with academic achievement in a cohort of Spanish schoolchildren using a structural equation modelling approach. Methods: The data for this cross-sectional study were collected from a convenience sample of children from Spain (Balearic Islands) aged between 9 and 13 years. Physical activity levels were self-reported with the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children; physical fitness was assessed using the International Fitness Scale; executive function was assessed with the Trail Making Test, and children’s achievements were collected from the school records. Structural equation modelling was used to explore the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, executive function, and academic achievement. Findings: Statistically significant positive direct associations were observed between physical activity and physical fitness (β = 0.46, 95% CI [0.29, 0.64]), physical fitness and executive function (β = 0.28, 95% CI [0.04, 0.52]), and executive function and academic achievement (β = 0.46, 95% CI [0.28, 0.65]), while adjusting for the confounding effects of sex and body mass index. Furthermore, indirect associations were observed between physical activity and executive function mediated by physical fitness (β = 0.13, bias-corrected 95% CI [0.02, 0.31]) and between physical fitness and academic achievement through executive function (β = 0.13, bias-corrected 95% CI [0.03, 0.32]). Conclusions: This investigation adds to the literature with evidence supporting the idea that regular PA leads to improvements in physical fitness and may support cognitive skills and academic performance in children.

Research on the effect of different aerobic activity on physical fitness and executive function in primary school students

“…This article also directly pointed out that executive function act as mediators of the association between physical activity and academic achievement 35 . Muntaner MA's finding further provided the evidence that regular physical exercise leads to improvements in physical fitness and may support cognitive skills and academic performance in children aged between 9 and 13 years old 36 . And on this basis, we further demonstrated that the improvement effect of the two exercises together is more significant than that of the single exercise ways.…”

Does cardiorespiratory fitness mediate or moderate the association between mid-life physical activity and cognitive function? Findings from the 1958 British birth cohort study

“…Our formal mediation analysis is in line with a 2015 Cochrane review(35), which found no evidence that PA-induced increases in CRF resulted in improved cognitive performance in healthy older adults without known cognitive impairment. More recently, studies in children have observed a mediating effect of fitness on the relationship between PA and executive function(36) and academic attainment(37). However, these studies, in children aged 9-13y, may not be generalisable to adults.…”

Physical Activity and Its Relation to Academic Performance Among University Students

“…Any movement produced by the contraction of skeletal muscles that causes an increase in energy expenditure beyond the basal level is referred to as physical activity (PA). (Muntaner-Mas et al, 2022;Piggin, 2020). World Health Organization (WHO) (2020) recommends adults aged between 18 and 64 to participate in 75-150 min of moderate to vigorous intensity of physical activity (MVPA) throughout the week.…”

“…On top of that, US Department of Health and Human Services (2018) adds that adults should also engage in any muscle-strengthening activities that involve major muscle groups for at least two or more days in their weekly repertoire. Previous studies have been documented the health benefits of physical activity over the life span (Muntaner-Mas et al, 2022), such as reducing risk for non-communicable diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and some cancers (Asigbee et al, 2018;F. W. Booth et al, 2012;Elmagd, 2016).…”