Physical fitness as an indicator of health status and its relationship to academic performance during the prepubertal period

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) is considered one of the most important determinants of the health status in children, and predictor of morbidity/mortality in adults. The aim is to examine the relationship between physical fitness (PF), PA, obesity and academic performance (AP) in primary school children. Methods: Cross-sectional studies including 91 primary school students, aged 9 to 12 years, from the province of Córdoba. Data was collected from April to June 2014. We measured PF using part of the EUROFIT fitness testing battery. The level of PA was measured as low or high PF and the level of obesity was measured using body mass index, waist circumference, percentage of fat mass, lean body mass, percentage of lean mass and basal metabolism. AP by scores on the second quarter was based on the total average of scores of basic subjects and other subjects, including physical education. Cognitive performance was assessed by the Spanish overall and factorial intelligence test.Results: The results of AP were positively related to levels of PF. Students who achieve better PF score better in Maths, (P=0.019), Natural Sciences (P=0.024), Religion (P=0.018) and Physical Education (P<0.001). A direct association between maximal aerobic capacity with Mathematics (r=0.325, P=0.02), AP (r=0.349, P=0.001) and cognitive performance (CP)(r=0.312, P=0.003) was observed. There was also a direct association of better jump tests with higher AP (r=0.328, P=0.002).Conclusion: The AP is associated with higher levels of fitness. Therefore, the education system should consider implementing curriculum strategies favouring the improvement of the PF, and therefore the health and AP of students.

Relationship between body mass index and physical fitness in Italian prepubertal schoolchildren

“…Another strong predictor of future health is physical fitness, which has been defined as a set of attributes related to a person's ability to perform physical activities [10]. In the literature, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength have been associated in children with cardiometabolic risk factors [11,12] and recently, cardiovascular fitness has been positively associated with academic performance [13]. Therefore, physical fitness, and in particular cardiorespiratory fitness, could modify the impact that body mass index (BMI) has on the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity-related comorbidities, especially in children and adolescents [14,15].…”

Fitness and academic performance in adolescents. The mediating role of leptin: DADOS study

“…Empirical evidence and systematic reviews have suggested a positive association between PF components and academic performance in children and adolescents [5][6][7][8][9]. For instance, Marques et al [10] have shown that there is a strong evidence for the association between CRF and academic performance which may be related to the positive effects of CRF on brain structure and cognitive functions [11].…”

Gender Differences in the Level of Achievement of Gymnastic and Acrobatic Skills

“…Another factor to note, and that may be related to the low levels of achievement by students of both genders, is the poor physical condition of adolescents [ 30 , 31 ]. These deficiencies could influence the insufficient performance of the acrobatic movements analyzed.…”